India Cracks Down on Online Money Gaming with New Legislation
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, banning online money games, will be effective from October 1. It aims to curb addiction and financial fraud while promoting e-sports. The government has engaged with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation. Gaming firms have paused real-money offerings.
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The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which bans all forms of online money games, will be enacted starting October 1, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The recently passed legislation restricts online money games but encourages e-sports and other online games. During discussions at a pre-event conference for the AI Impact Summit 2026 India, Vaishnaw emphasized the government's consultative approach, involving the gaming industry, banks, and other stakeholders over the past three years.
Gaming platforms such as Dream11 and PokerBaazi have paused real-money gaming activities following the Act's passage. The legislation seeks to address concerns like addiction and financial fraud. Vaishnaw stated that further consultations are planned, especially addressing industry concerns on handling user account balances.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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