Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed: Why Dream11 and MPL Suspended Money-Based Games in India
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, passed by the Parliament on 21st August 2025, marks a landmark move to shield citizens from the threat of online money games while promoting and regulating other kinds of online games. This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on deceptive promises of quick wealth. It reflects the Government's resolve to safeguard families while guiding the digital economy toward safe and constructive growth.
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| Online money gaming ban in India |
Highlights of the Online Gaming Bill 2025
| Section | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Global Recognition of the Issue | WHO classifies gaming disorder as a health condition – marked by loss of control, neglect of daily life, and persistence despite harm. |
| Harms of Online Money Gaming | Families losing savings, youth addiction, debt-driven suicides, fraud, and money laundering. |
| Government Response | Strong legislation introduced to ban harmful online money games while promoting safe digital recreation. |
| Balanced Approach | Supports innovation, e-sports, safe social/educational games while cracking down on gambling & betting platforms. |
| Understanding the Sector | - E-sports: Skill, coordination, competitive tournaments. - Social Games: Casual, safe, educational, cultural. - Money Games: High financial risk, addiction, fraud, national security threats. |
| Why the Bill Was Needed | - 45 crore people negatively affected. - ₹20,000+ crore lost due to money games. - Offshore platforms exploiting loopholes. - Needed coherent regulation & responsible gaming framework. |
| Key Concerns Addressed | - Addiction & financial ruin - Mental health & suicides - Fraud & money laundering - National security risks - Closing legal loopholes |
| Applicability | Applies across India, including offshore platforms offering services in India. |
| Key Provisions | - Ban on online money games (chance/skill/mixed). - Promotion of e-sports & safe social/educational games. - Creation of Online Gaming Authority. - Strict offences & penalties (up to 5 years jail & ₹2 crore fine). - Corporate accountability & powers of investigation. - Rule-making powers to Centre. |
| Benefits for Society | - Boost to creative economy & global competitiveness. - Empowering youth via safe e-sports & skill games. - Safer digital environment, preventing addiction & fraud. - Strengthening India’s global leadership in digital regulation. |
| Supporting Legal Measures | - IT Act 2000 & Rules: Blocking illegal apps/websites (1,524 already blocked). - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023: Punishment for betting & cybercrime. - GST Act 2017: Offshore platforms brought under tax compliance. - Consumer Protection Act 2019: Action against misleading ads. - Advisories by Ministries: Warnings to media, influencers, educators. - Cybercrime Reporting: National portal & helpline 1930 for fraud complaints. |
India’s booming real-money gaming industry is facing its toughest challenge yet after Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The new law bans all forms of online money-based games and imposes strict penalties, including fines up to ₹1 crore and even prison terms for violators.
Dream11 Halts Cash Games, Shifts Focus to Other Ventures
Fantasy sports giant Dream11 has officially discontinued all its cash-based games following the passage of the bill. Parent company Dream Sports is now expected to shift its focus toward other platforms such as FanCode, Sportz Drip, Cricbuzz, and Willow TV, as it looks to redefine its business model in a post-ban era.
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MPL Suspends Real-Money Offerings in India
Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s largest online gaming platforms with over 120 million registered users globally, also announced the suspension of all its money-based offerings.
In an official statement, MPL said:
“We respect the rule of law and will comply fully. Effective immediately, we are suspending all gaming offerings involving money on the MPL platform in India. While new deposits will no longer be accepted, customers will be able to withdraw their balances seamlessly.”
With this move, MPL joins the growing list of platforms forced to restructure their gaming ecosystem.
Zupee Stops Paid Games, Keeps Free Titles Alive
Popular casual gaming platform Zupee also confirmed that it has discontinued all paid games in compliance with the Online Gaming Bill.
A company spokesperson highlighted that while money-based games are gone, users can still enjoy free titles such as:
Ludo Supreme
Ludo Turbo
Snakes & Ladders
Trump Card Mania
“We remain committed to delivering fun, engaging, and responsible gaming experiences to our 150+ million users across India—for free,” the spokesperson added.
Impact on India’s Gaming Industry
The bill’s passing is expected to cause major disruptions across India’s ₹20,000 crore real-money gaming industry. Experts warn of:
Lakhs of users losing access to their favorite money-based games
Mass layoffs within gaming companies
Investment freezes in the sector
However, the government has positioned esports and non-monetary skill-based gaming as the future, encouraging companies to innovate beyond real-money gaming.
With Dream11, MPL, and Zupee pulling the plug on cash games, India's online gambling industry is headed for a massive shake-up. While the ban has interrupted players and businesses alike, it also opens the door for esports, free-to-play games, and global partnerships to shape the next chapter of Indian gaming.
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FAQs on Online Gaming Bill 2025
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 is a law passed by the Indian Parliament that bans all forms of real-money online games, including fantasy sports, card games, and skill-based money games. It also introduces strict penalties for violators.
Dream11, MPL, and Zupee have suspended their cash games to comply with the new law. The bill makes it illegal to operate or play real-money games online, with penalties including fines of up to ₹1 crore and possible jail terms.
3. What penalties does the Online Gaming Bill impose?
The bill includes penalties such as:
Fines up to ₹1 crore
Imprisonment for violators
Licensing restrictions for operators
4. Will Dream11, MPL, and Zupee still operate in India?
Yes, but only with free-to-play games or non-monetary services. For example:
Dream Sports will focus on FanCode, Cricbuzz, Sportz Drip, Willow TV
MPL has stopped cash games but may offer skill-based free games
Zupee continues with free games like Ludo Supreme and Snakes & Ladders
5. What does this mean for Indian gamers?
Indian players will no longer be able to play or earn money through online games on platforms like Dream11, MPL, and Zupee. However, free games, esports, and global collaborations are expected to rise in popularity.
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