New Delhi, August 2 — In a bold move to tackle the growing concerns around addiction, fraud, and financial ruin, India’s Parliament has passed a landmark bill that bans online gambling across the country. The legislation, passed late Thursday, is a response to mounting pressure from citizens, activists, and experts who have long warned about the dark side of online betting.
According to government estimates, online gambling companies have been pulling a staggering US$2.3 billion every year from nearly 450 million Indians—many of them vulnerable and unaware of the risks. The new law criminalizes the offering, promotion, and financing of online gambling activities, with violators facing jail terms of up to five years.
The impact of the new law is far-reaching. Fantasy sports platforms, including popular card games, online poker, and especially fantasy cricket apps, have been directly affected. India’s beloved Dream11, the biggest fantasy sports platform in the country, is now under scrutiny.
Just a year ago, Dream11 was announced as the lead sponsor for India’s national cricket team, its logo proudly emblazoned on Team India jerseys. Now, the future of that sponsorship hangs in the balance.
“If it’s not permissible, we won’t go ahead with it,” said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia. “The BCCI will fully abide by the policies framed by the central government.”
Following the bill’s passage, Dream11 quickly responded. In a statement released on its website, the platform confirmed it had discontinued all cash games and contests. “We urge our fans to stay tuned,” the statement read, signaling possible shifts in how the company might adapt.
While some games remained active online as of Friday, the law will only come into full force once it receives formal assent from the President of India.
A Battle Against Addiction and Exploitation
The government defended the move as essential to safeguarding society. “This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin, and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth,” the official statement said.
The new bill makes a clear distinction: e-sports and educational games are not banned. In fact, these areas are encouraged as part of India’s vision for a progressive digital economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this sentiment, stating the law would promote “e-sports and online social games,” while protecting society from the harmful effects of real-money gaming.
Despite the pushback from industry groups who had called for better regulation rather than a complete ban, supporters of the law argue that the social and mental health costs were far too high to ignore.
Authorities have linked the rise of gambling to an increase in addiction, financial collapse, fraud, and even suicides. Some cases also tied online gambling to larger criminal networks, including money laundering and terrorism financing.
Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the law supports safe digital recreation. “It promotes e-sports and educational gaming while drawing a firm line against fantasy games that exploit users through false promises of profit,” he said.
As India takes this decisive step, one thing is clear—online gaming in the country will never be the same again.
