Real money gaming app ban: Zupee, MPL, Dream Sports and others start shutdown of these divisions
The online gaming landscape in India witnessed a seismic shift as the startup with real-money gaming app started shutting down operators in the online real-money gaming division after the passage of Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The legalisation passed by the Indian parliament bans real-money games while promoting casual and e-sports formats. Both the houses of the Parliament now awaits presidential assent for the bill to become a law.
Startups starts pulling the plug
As per multiple online reports, leading startup such as Dream Sports, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Zupee, Probo, and Gameskraft have already started shutting down their real-money division. Dream Sports has already wind up its quick-play fantasy app Dream Picks and is also preparing to completely exit the real-money gaming segment. Along with this, MPL has also suspended deposits and have announced that the players can now withdraw the existing balance from their accounts.On the other hand, Zupee, Probo, and Gameskraft have halted their paid games. Zuppe has also confirmed that its free titles such as Ludo Supreme and Snakes and Ladders will still remain available.
Industry faces uncertainty
This latest ban has sent shock waves in the Indian gaming sector. The Indian gaming secret boasts of Rs 2 trillion valuation and contributes around Rs 200 billion annually in taxes. Hundreds of employees across various startups also lost their job with the shutting down of the real-money gaming division. While some companies considered challenging the law in the Supreme Court, most have opted not to pursue legal action.
What is the Online gaming bill
The Online Gaming Bill aims to bring clarity to India’s fast-growing digital gaming sector by prohibiting real-money gaming and its advertisements.It proposes strict penalties, including jail or fines, for those who promote or operate such platforms, while clearly separating them from eSports and casual online games, according to PTI.The bill defines an online money game as any game, “irrespective of whether such game is based on skill, chance or both, played by a user by paying fees, depositing money or other stakes, in expectation of winning in return of money or other stake” but specifies that it does not include eSport.
