India Banned online gaming platforms ; Online Gaming Bill

 The Indian law makers took a crucial key steps against in cyber world. Parliament has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 on August 21. The new bill, passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha places a blanket ban on real-money games online. It is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth. In 2025 alone, the government has banned multiple betting apps. Majority of these apps banned have allegedly been responsible for promoting unauthorized gambling activities on their platforms.

Application based Crimes and gambling increased in India. This online gaming application has resulted in significant financial losses in our country. Some applications are genuine and approved by app stores such as Google and Apple. However, the online gaming platforms were mostly sponsored by other countries.



On August 21, 2025, the Indian Parliament enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, marking a significant step in regulating the online gaming landscape.  This new legislation, approved by both the Lok Sabha  and the Rajya Sabha , implements a comprehensive prohibition on online games involving real-money transactions.  The primary objective of this bill is to address the growing concerns surrounding online gaming addiction, the potential for substantial financial losses, and the resulting social distress.  The government aims to counteract the negative impact of predatory gaming platforms that often employ misleading advertising tactics, promising unrealistic opportunities for rapid financial gain, thereby enticing vulnerable individuals into potentially harmful gaming practices.

This legislative action builds upon a series of measures taken throughout 2025 to combat illegal online gambling activities.  The government has consistently targeted and banned multiple betting applications operating within India.  These banned apps have been identified as platforms that facilitate unauthorized gambling, often operating outside the purview of existing regulations and posing significant risks to users.  The government's ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to protecting citizens from the potential harms associated with unregulated online gambling.  The 2025 bill provides a more structured and comprehensive framework for regulating the online gaming sector, aiming to create a safer and more responsible online environment.

The decision to implement a blanket ban on real-money games underscores the severity of the issues associated with unregulated online gaming.  The government recognizes the potential for these games to become addictive and lead to significant financial hardship for individuals and families.  By prohibiting real-money transactions within online games, the legislation seeks to mitigate the risks of financial ruin and the associated social consequences.  This ban also aims to curb the influence of unscrupulous operators who exploit vulnerabilities and promote irresponsible gaming practices.  The government's focus is on establishing a regulatory framework that prioritizes player protection and responsible gaming behavior.  The following section will provide a detailed overview of the specific applications that have been banned in India during 2025 due to their involvement in promoting unauthorized gambling activities.  This list will offer insights into the scale of the issue and the government's proactive approach to addressing it.

Indian lawmakers have created a protected cyber world through amendments and new laws.

Advocate Neeraj T Narendran, Cyber Lawyer Kerala 


India Banned online gaming platforms ; Online Gaming Bill