Real Money Gaming Firms Halt Operations

Rapid Summary

• President Droupadi Murmu signed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming act, 2025 into law on August 22, 2025. The prohibition of real money games (RMGs) will be effective after notification by the Ministry of Electronics and Data Technology.
• The legislation was swiftly enacted in just three days, from Cabinet approval to passage in Parliament.
• Major RMG firms like WinZO, Dream11, PokerBaazi, Adda52, MPL, and RummyCircle announced compliance with the law by halting their cash game offerings. Statements emphasized user funds’ safety and withdrawal availability as operations wind down.
• IT Ministry confirmed a brief transition period for users to withdraw deposited money before final implementation.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The swift enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act signals decisive action by the Indian government to regulate online spaces while addressing concerns around real money gaming (RMG). This landmark move may reflect efforts to curb associated risks such as gambling addiction or financial fraud but also poses meaningful implications for India’s burgeoning online gaming industry.

While compliance by major players suggests a cooperative response to legal enforcement,questions remain about economic ramifications on platforms serving millions of users. Thousands employed within these companies may face uncertainties. Regulatory clarity will reduce operational ambiguity but could also constrain future innovation in related sectors like esports or skill-based gaming platforms.

This advancement marks an important juncture in balancing digital opportunities with responsible governance-how it impacts global perceptions of India as a tech hub merits attention moving forward.

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