New Delhi, Aug 22: After both houses of the Parliament passed the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025', leading real money gaming (RMG) companies in the country including Dream Sports, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL), and Zupee, have begun suspending real money games on their platforms.
The bill prohibits all online money games where players wager money with the expectation of financial returns, irrespective of whether the games are skill-based or chance-based.
It also empowers authorities to search any premises and arrest individuals suspected of violating the law, without the need for a warrant.
In response to the bill, Dream Sports has suspended all 'Pay to Play' contests on Dream Picks, its newly launched fantasy sports app, as well as on its casual RMG app, Dream Play. Both apps were introduced in recent months by the fantasy sports giant.
"In view of the recent development pertaining to "The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025", we are pausing all 'Pay to Play' Fantasy Sports contests on our platform. Your account balance is safe and available for you to withdraw from the Dream11 app," read a notice on the app.
Zupee, another RMG platform specializing in board games, has announced the suspension of all "paid games" on its platform, while assuring that it "remains fully operational."
A spokesperson for Zupee stated, “Zupee is fully operational, and players can continue enjoying their favorite games. In compliance with the new Online Gaming Bill 2025, we are discontinuing paid games. However, our highly popular free titles like Ludo Supreme, Ludo Turbo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Card Mania will still be available to all users at no cost.”
Other RMG platforms, such as Mobile Premier League (MPL) and Gameskraft, have also suspended their money-related gaming offerings, assuring users that they can withdraw their balances without any issues.
It is worth noting that the government introduced the bill in response to the growing concerns over online money gaming, citing its links to addiction, financial losses, and criminal activities.
The bill proposes a punishment of up to three-years in prison and fines of up to Rs 1 crore for those found offering, assisting, abetting, or engaging in real money gaming. It also suggests a 2-year prison sentence or a fine of Rs 50 lakh for those involved in advertising, promoting, or sponsoring such games.
