What Exactly Did India Pass?
In August 2025, Parliament enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Bill, 2025, which bans monetary-based games across India. The bill redefines a “money game” as any game requiring a payment to potentially win money, effectively eliminating the previous distinction between “skill” and “chance.” As a result, games such as poker, rummy, fantasy sports, and other stake-based formats are now illegal.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. A total prohibition on online games involving real money.
2. A ban on advertisements and endorsements, including restrictions on celebrities, content creators, and affiliates.
3. Constraints on payment and facilitation that affect payment gateways, digital wallets, and app stores.
4. A prohibition on private funding for non-monetary games, including esports and educational platforms, with a central authority appointed as the sole regulator for these activities.
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Why the Ban? The Government’s Rationale
The government defended the bill on four main counts.
- Protection of Consumers: Safeguarding against addiction to gambling and the fall into debt and related mental health crises, especially among young people.
- Financial Security: To safeguard households and prevent the annual outflow of an estimated ₹20,000 crore into money gaming platforms.
- National Security and Anti-Fraud, including, to mitigate the risk of fraud, money laundering, and operating an illegal offshore gaming website.
- Policy Clarity: Above, and eliminate the patchwork of state-by-state regulations and legal cases, while promoting esports and social gaming as “safe”.
Impact on the Industry
3.1 Revenue, Jobs, and Investment
$23-25 billion is the estimated value of the Indian gaming industry.
Currently, over 200,000 jobs are at risk, affecting a wide range of positions from developers to customer support staff. This situation not only impacts individual livelihoods but also threatens the stability of our workforce as a whole.
MFIs investors may cut FDI ₹25,000 crore, fear uncertainty and compliance risks
The exchequer may also lose substantial GST and TDS from RMG platforms.
3.2 Business Model Disruption
Businesses that were thriving through rake, entry fees, and commissions have suddenly had their revenue go to zero.
New monetization schemes, including advertising, in-app purchasing and subscriptions, don’t measure up when it comes to generating revenue like their real-money counterparts, leading to cutbacks and shutdowns.
3.3 Compliance and Operational Overhead
UPI gateways, app stores, and payment processors are tightening their filters now. That spells more costly compliance and an increasing risk of blacklisting for any infractions.
3.4 Esports and Non-Monetary Gaming
As RMG is heading to shutdown, the policy can drive structure for esports, education and social gaming platforms. But these work on much thinner margins and slower growth.
4. Impact on Poker Players
4.1 Online Poker (Cash and MTTs)
All online poker formats with monetary stakes are immediately banned. This includes:
- Cash games
- MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments)
- Sit-and-go formats
Even skill-based arguments no longer apply, as the law does not differentiate between chance and skill in real-money contexts.
4.2 Content Creators and Coaches
- Affiliate marketing, sign-up links, or promotional content tied to poker sites is now prohibited.
- Coaches can still offer strategy content, but they must ensure they are not facilitating access to banned platforms.
4.3 Live Poker
The ban targets online formats. Live poker remains governed by state-level rules, but caution is advised:
- Using apps or wallets to settle buy-ins could still be considered facilitation.
- Legal advice is strongly recommended before organizing or participating in live events.
4.4 Banking and Tax Concerns
Players attempting to bypass restrictions using offshore wallets or crypto risk frozen accounts, tax scrutiny, or even legal action.
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5. Compliance and What Not to Do
To stay safe under the new law:
- Do not use VPNs or offshore accounts to bypass restrictions.
- Do not promote banned platforms, even indirectly, through content or private groups.
- Do separate educational or entertainment content from any commercial tie-ins with real-money sites.
- Do seek legal counsel if you are a player, creator, or operator with legacy contracts.
6. The Way Forward
6.1 For Companies
- Pivot to Non-Monetary Models: Focus on free-to-play, esports, or social games with monetization through ads, cosmetics, or subscriptions.
- Rebuild Revenue Streams: Explore partnerships, merchandising, or educational content ecosystems.
- Compliance First: Audit all apps, SDKs, and ad partnerships to ensure no violations.
6.2 For Poker Players and Creators
- Build income around education, strategy courses, and content that isn’t tied to real-money platforms.
- Create communities, books, or coaching programs focused purely on skill development.
- Explore opportunities in live events and international coverage without promoting illegal platforms.
6.3 Policy Engagement
Industry groups can still lobby for sandbox frameworks or training-only models that don’t involve monetary stakes, showing a commitment to responsible play and youth safety.
7. Southeast Asia Outlook: Reality Check
Many players see relocation as a solution, but Southeast Asia is far from a safe haven for online real-money poker.
Country-by-Country Snapshot
- Philippines: POGO licenses are being shut down; stricter regulation is ongoing. Not a safe option.
- Cambodia: Online gambling has been banned since 2019; underground operations are criminalized.
- Thailand: Poker is being recognized as a sport in limited contexts, but online gambling remains illegal. Live events may be possible under permits.
- Malaysia: Online gambling is illegal; banks actively block transactions to offshore casinos.
- Vietnam: Online poker is illegal; live clubs operate in gray zones but face periodic crackdowns.
Bottom line: Relocating to play online poker requires careful legal consultation. None of these jurisdictions currently offer a truly safe or fully legal pathway for daily online play.
9. Final Thoughts & Action Steps
The 2025 RMG ban is the most disruptive policy shift the gaming sector has faced, surpassing even the GST shock.
For companies, this is the time to pivot, re-forecast, and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
For players and creators, the key is to de-risk your income, focus on education or entertainment niches, and avoid any association with banned platforms.
Immediate Checklist
For Companies
- Remove or disable all real-money features.
- Audit ads, SDKs, and affiliate programs.
- Pivot revenue models to non-monetary formats.
For Players and Creators
- Remove affiliate links and promotional content.
- Explore alternative income sources like courses or live commentary.
- Seek legal counsel before joining live events or considering relocation.
8. FAQs
Q1: Are skill-based games like poker or rummy exempt?
No. The new law bans all online money games, regardless of skill level.
Q2: Can I stream poker content?
Yes, but only educational or entertainment content without any promotional or affiliate links.
Q3: Is live poker still legal?
Yes, depending on state laws, but any online settlement of stakes could violate the new rules.
Q4: Can this law change?
Possibly, as courts or future amendments could add nuance. For now, assume the ban remains.
Q5: Is relocation a viable solution?
Not easily. Most Southeast Asian countries restrict online gambling, and relocating without legal advice could lead to serious risks.
10. Sources
- Parliamentary records of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
- Statements from the Ministry of Electronics and IT on esports promotion.
- Industry reports on jobs, FDI, and revenue impact by FICCI and gaming associations.
- Government press releases highlighting consumer harm and national security concerns.
- Regional updates from Southeast Asia on gambling laws and enforcement trends.