India Proposes Ban on Online Money Games Citing Addiction Risks
- tech360.tv
- Aug 20, 2025
- 2 min read
India plans to ban online games played with money, according to a proposed bill reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 cites psychological and financial harm that such games can cause.
The bill states that no person "shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in" the offering of online money games and related services. This move could significantly impact an industry that has attracted billions of USD in foreign investment.
An online money game is defined in the 13-page bill as one played by a user who deposits money with an expectation of winning monetary or other enrichment. The Indian market for this gaming sector is projected to be worth USD 3.6 billion by 2029, according to venture capital firm Lumikai.
Popular fantasy cricket games operated by startups Dream11 and Mobile Premier League have seen increased appeal and investor interest. Dream11 is valued at USD 8 billion, while Mobile Premier League is valued at USD 2.5 billion, PitchBook data shows.
The Indian government has long expressed concerns about the addictive nature of these games. The IT ministry, which drafted the bill, has stated that such games frequently use manipulative design features and addictive algorithms.
These features promote compulsive behaviour that can lead to financial ruin, the bill indicates. Anyone found offering such money games could face a jail term of up to three years and a fine.
Users on Dream11's fantasy cricket games can participate by paying as little as USD 0.10, with a total prize pool reaching USD 14,000. These applications become particularly popular during the Indian Premier League season, one of the world’s most widely followed cricket tournaments.
• India plans to ban online games played with money through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025.
• The proposed ban addresses concerns over psychological and financial harm, including manipulative design features and addictive algorithms.
• The Indian online gaming market for money games is projected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2029.
Source: REUTERS
