India has enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, abolishing the distinction between games of skill and games of chance. As a result, all real-money online poker, rummy, and fantasy sports are banned nationwide.
India’s online gaming landscape has entered a new era of uncertainty as the government pushes through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The controversial legislation abolishes the long-standing distinction between games of skill and games of chance, meaning that all forms of real-money online poker, rummy, and fantasy sports are now banned across the country.
For years, India had been one of the most promising markets for online poker, with a rapidly growing player base, major international operators, and a thriving startup ecosystem. This new law, passed in just a matter of weeks, marks a dramatic U-turn that threatens both the industry and the millions of players who enjoyed these games.
What the Ban Means
The Act criminalizes not only the operation of real-money gaming platforms but also related activities, sending a clear message that enforcement will be strict.
- Prohibited activities: operation of platforms, advertising, sponsorships, and payment processing linked to online poker and fantasy sports.
- Penalties: fines and up to three years of imprisonment.
As a result, some of the country’s most popular platforms have already begun shutting down their real-money services:
- PokerBaazi
- PokerStars India
- Natural8 India
- Junglee Games
Player impact: sudden loss of access to trusted local rooms and potential complications withdrawing existing balances.
Industry Fallout
The impact of this sweeping ban could be devastating for India’s gaming ecosystem.
- Startups & jobs at risk: over 400 startups and more than 200,000 jobs.
- Investment shock: billions in recent foreign direct investment likely to stall.
- Tax shortfall: loss of licensing fees and gaming tax revenue as regulated operators exit.
- Grey market risk: illegal offshore sites and unregulated crypto platforms may fill the gap.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Legal experts and gaming associations are preparing to challenge the new law in India’s Supreme Court. Key arguments include:
- Jurisdiction: regulation of gaming traditionally falls under state rather than federal authority.
- Skill vs. chance: poker and rummy should be recognized as skill-based games, not gambling.
- State precedents: courts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have previously upheld the legality of skill-based games.
The central government’s sweeping ban aims to overrule these precedents, setting the stage for a lengthy constitutional battle.
Offshore and Crypto Poker Options
While domestic operators are shutting down, Indian players are unlikely to disappear from the online poker scene. Many are already turning to offshore platforms that accept Indian players and support cryptocurrency payments, such as:
For more information about the best poker deals for non-Indian players, visit our Natural8 site, where you’ll find updated reviews, bonus codes, and safe playing alternatives.
The Road Ahead for Poker in India
The ban on online poker in India represents one of the most significant regulatory setbacks the global poker industry has seen in recent years. Once viewed as a high-growth frontier market, India’s future in online gaming is now clouded by legal battles, economic uncertainty, and player frustration.
- Players: secure balances from local operators and explore safe, reputable offshore alternatives.
- Industry: prepare for legal challenges while mitigating economic damage.
One thing is certain: the story of online poker in India is far from over. The coming months will reveal whether the Supreme Court upholds the government’s hardline stance — or whether skill-based gaming finds a way back into the Indian market.