The online gaming industry on Monday informed the government that it has begun taking steps to comply with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits all forms of online money games while promoting e-sports and social gaming. The assurance came at a meeting convened by Union IT and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw with representatives of gaming firms to discuss the transition under the new law, orderly protection of users’ money and the roadmap for developing e-sports in the country.
The meeting, attended by around 25–30 industry participants, saw the presence of companies such as Dream11, Winzo, MPL, Zupee, Pokerbaazi and A23 Rummy, besides representatives from the Esports Federation of India and the Game Developer Association of India. According to sources, discussions were centred on creating an ecosystem that would allow Indian e-sports athletes to compete globally, while ensuring users’ money in shuttered real money gaming formats was secured. Several firms have already announced the closure of their RMG operations and are pivoting to free-to-play formats.
E-sports push
As reported earlier, the Act, passed by Parliament last month and assented to by the President, bans advertisements of money games and prohibits banks and financial institutions from facilitating transactions for such platforms. Advertising violations could attract jail terms of up to two years and fines up to Rs 50 lakh, while facilitating money transfers for banned games may invite imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore. Repeat offences could lead to penalties of up to five years in prison and fines as high as Rs 2 crore. The law will come into force once it is formally notified.
Money games ban
Meanwhile, speaking at an industry event MeitY secretary S Krishnan said that the notification of the new law would happen soon. “I cannot set an exact date right now, but it will come into effect fairly quickly, and we are taking all necessary steps in that regard,” he said.
The Karnataka High Court last week issued notice to the Union government on a petition filed by the parent company of A23 Rummy challenging the ban. The court has sought the Centre’s response by September 8.