The Indian gaming world just got shaken up in a big way. The Online Gaming Bill 2025, passed in the Lok Sabha today, is setting the stage for a blanket ban on all real-money games (RMGs)—and that could spell trouble for some of India’s biggest gaming apps.
If the bill clears the Rajya Sabha and gets the President’s nod, popular platforms like Dream11, RummyCircle, WinZO, PokerBaazi, and MyTeam11 could be forced to shut shop in their current form.
What the bill actually says
The new law basically bans any game—whether it’s based on skill or chance—where users put in money with the hope of winning cash rewards. That includes fantasy sports, online poker, and real-money rummy.
It also takes aim at advertisements, payment gateways, and financial services tied to these apps. So, not only would the games themselves be banned, but everything around them could also get hit.
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Big names in the firing line
Here’s a quick look at the major apps that could be directly impacted:
- Dream11 – The biggest fantasy sports app in India with over 100 million users. Known for its IPL contests, Dream11 would face a complete shutdown of its real-money model.
- My11Circle – A rival to Dream11 with 50 million+ downloads, also dependent on entry fees and cash prizes.
- RummyCircle & My11Circle (Games24x7) – Both platforms heavily rely on real-money formats.
- WinZO – Popular for its mix of casual and money games, including Ludo and card games.
- PokerBaazi & Junglee Poker – Poker platforms that thrive on cash tournaments.
- Junglee Rummy & RummyCulture (GamesKraft) – Among the top rummy apps in India, both real-money dependent.
- MyTeam11 & Howzat – Fantasy cricket platforms that run on the same format as Dream11.
- Nazara Technologies – A gaming giant that has invested in real-money platforms like PokerBaazi, already saw its stock drop after the announcement.
The bigger picture
This isn’t just about shutting down a few apps. The real-money gaming sector makes up 86% of India’s $3.7 billion online gaming market, supports over 2 lakh jobs, and pumps in around ₹25,000 crore annually in taxes.
With the bill, the government risks losing nearly ₹20,000 crore in GST revenue every year. Plus, foreign investors—who have already poured in over ₹25,000 crore—may think twice before betting on India’s gaming space again.
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What’s next?
Right now, the bill is through the Lok Sabha and is headed to the Rajya Sabha. If it passes there and gets signed by the President, it’ll officially become law.
That means the coming weeks are critical. For now, India’s gaming community—players, startups, investors, and over 200,000 employees—are left waiting and watching.
