In August 2025, the Government of India enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which legally prohibited all real-money gaming apps, satta sites, and online gambling websites.
This sweeping decision has impacted popular fantasy sports apps like Dream11 and MPL, card game platforms like A23 and RummyCircle, and even offshore betting sites such as 1xBet, Parimatch, Dafabet, Rajabets, and Betway.
Millions of users across India are affected, and the gaming industry faces an uncertain future.
Why Did the Government Ban Online Gaming?
The online gaming ban in India wasn’t a sudden move. The government had been raising concerns for years, and finally acted in 2025.
Key reasons include:
- Fraud and Money Laundering – Offshore betting platforms like 1xBet and Parimatch were allegedly misused for illegal transactions.
- Youth Addiction – Satta and gambling apps were creating dangerous levels of financial loss and addiction, especially among students.
- Terror Financing Risks – Security agencies flagged that some apps were being used to move illegal funds.
- No Regulation – Most of these platforms operated without Indian licenses.
- Digital Satta Growth – Apps like Probo and MPL Opinio disguised gambling as “opinion trading,” but were essentially betting.
What the New Law Says
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 clearly bans:
- All real-money games — fantasy sports, rummy, poker, satta apps, and betting sites.
- Advertisements for gambling or satta platforms in India.
- Transactions — Banks, UPI, and payment wallets cannot process deposits or withdrawals for banned apps.
- Penalties — Violators can face up to 3 years in jail plus heavy fines.
- Offshore operators targeting Indian users are blocked at the ISP and app store levels.
Full List of Banned Apps & Games in 2025
The government has banned more than 1,400 apps and websites related to gambling and satta. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most notable ones:
Fantasy Sports Apps (Real-Money Versions)
- Dream11
- MPL (Mobile Premier League)
- My11Circle
- MyTeam11
- Howzat
- FanFight
- Vision11
- Kubera Fantasy
- Sportasy
- Real11
- Super11
- LeagueX
- FanMojo
Rummy & Poker Platforms
- A23 (Ace2Three)
- Adda52 (Poker & Rummy)
- Junglee Rummy
- RummyCircle
- RummyCulture
- PokerBaazi
Digital Satta & Opinion Trading Apps
- Probo
- TradeX
- MPL Opinio
- SportsBaazi
- PredictEV
- MarketWolf
- InstaTrade
- GoPool
Offshore Betting & Gambling Sites
- 1xBet
- Parimatch
- Dafabet
- Rajabets
- Betway
- Bet365
- Melbet
- 22Bet
- Lotus365
- Fairplay
- BetDaily
Other Gambling Apps
- Mahadev Book App
- Big Winner
- Silver Luck
- Zodiac Casino
- Fun88
Impact of the Ban
The ban on gambling apps in India 2025 is reshaping the gaming industry:
- For Companies – Dream11 has reportedly lost 90% of its revenue. MPL laid off nearly 300 employees. A23 is fighting the law in court.
- For the Economy – The industry worth over $20 billion faces a steep decline, and foreign investors are backing out.
- For Users – Millions of players can no longer access their favorite real-money games. While some are disappointed, others believe the ban will reduce gambling addiction.
Legal Battles & Reactions
- A23’s Legal Challenge – Filed the first case in Karnataka High Court, arguing the ban violates the right to do business.
- Dream11 & MPL – Exploring legal options, hoping to bring back fantasy sports under a “skill-based” exemption.
- Public Opinion – Many families support the ban, while gamers and startups feel it’s too extreme.
Final Thoughts
The online gaming ban in India 2025 marks a turning point. It is designed to protect citizens from gambling addiction and fraud, but it also raises questions about innovation, jobs, and the future of India’s gaming industry.
The coming months will be crucial, as courts, companies, and the government debate whether this ban should stay permanent or evolve into a regulated framework for safe online gaming in India.
FAQ’s
Yes. The paid version of Dream11 is banned, only free-to-play remains.
Apps like MPL, A23, Dream11 (paid version), Probo, 1xBet, Parimatch, Dafabet, Fairplay, and Rajabets are banned.
Yes. Only apps involving real money gambling or betting are banned. Free-to-play and skill-based games remain legal.
No. The new law bans all real-money rummy and poker apps.
Even if technically accessible, using them for gambling is illegal and punishable in India.
