India’s Parliament approved this bill on August 21, 2025, effectively banning real-money online games, including fantasy sports, to combat addiction and financial harm. The law targets unregulated platforms and advertisements, raising concerns for industry giants like Dream11 and MPL.

Passed in August, this law brings sweeping reforms to how India’s national sports bodies operate. It establishes ethical governance frameworks, athlete safety protocols, and dispute resolution mechanisms—including a National Sports Board and tribunal—to align with Olympic Charter standards.

Offshore betting sites (Parimatch, 1xBet, etc.) are racing to capture the displaced Indian audience. Some operators (Dream Sports, Gameskraft) opted not to legally challenge the legislation, pivoting to other ventures.

What do you think? Does banning real-money games protect consumers, or just send users underground? Let’s discuss.