25 Betting Apps Banned in India: New Gaming Law Cracks Down on Online Gambling

What Is the Online Gaming Bill, 2025?

25 Betting Apps Banned in India – On Tuesday, the Indian government passed a new law called the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. This law was created to stop illegal online betting and protect people from losing money through risky gaming apps. It was passed quickly within just four days and is now officially a law.

The bill bans all online games that involve real money, whether they are based on skill or luck. This includes fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and casino-style games. The government says these games have caused addiction, financial loss, and even mental health problems for many users.

To enforce the law, a new Online Gaming Authority will be set up. This body will:

•            Register legal games

•            Monitor gaming platforms

•            Handle complaints

•            Block illegal apps and websites

The law also gives police and cyber agencies the power to search and arrest people involved in illegal gaming, without needing a warrant. Offenders can face up to 3 years in jail and fines up to ₹1 crore.

What Is the New Online Gaming Law?

In August 2025, the Indian government passed a major law called the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. This law was created to stop illegal online betting and protect people especially youth from addiction and financial loss.

The law was passed in record time just four days and now gives the government strong powers to:

• Ban all online games involving real money (whether based on skill or chance)
• Block apps and websites that promote gambling
• Stop banks, UPI apps, and credit cards from processing payments to these platforms
• Punish violators with jail time up to 3 years and fines up to ₹1 crore

A new body called the National Online Gaming Authority will be set up to register legal games, monitor platforms, and handle complaints. The law also allows police and cyber agencies to search and arrest people involved in illegal gaming without needing a warrant.

List of 25 Betting Apps Banned in India

As part of the crackdown, the government has banned 25 betting apps that were operating without proper licenses or violating Indian laws. These apps were found to be promoting gambling, risking user safety, and in some cases, linked to money laundering.

Here’s a list of the banned apps:

These apps were popular for offering sports betting, casino games, and quick money rewards. But they operated outside the law and posed serious risks to users.

Why These Apps Were Banned

The government says the ban was necessary to protect people from gambling addiction and financial harm. Many users lost large sums of money, and some even took loans to keep playing. In extreme cases, families were pushed into debt, and there were reports of suicides linked to online betting losses.

Here are the main reasons for the ban:

• Apps were not registered or licensed in India
• They promoted gambling without permission
• They failed to protect user data and privacy
• Some were linked to money laundering and fraud
• They encouraged addictive behavior without safeguards

The law also blocks advertisements and influencer promotions for banned apps. Financial institutions are now prohibited from processing payments to these platforms.

What’s Allowed and What’s Not

The Online Gaming Bill makes a clear difference between money games and safe games.

Allowed:

• E-sports (competitive video games without money)
• Educational games
• Social games for fun and learning

Not Allowed:

• Any game where players deposit money to win cash
• Skill-based games like fantasy sports, poker, or rummy if played for money
• Casino-style games and betting platforms

The government says it wants to promote safe gaming and support India’s growing e-sports industry. Training academies, tournaments, and digital literacy programs will be encouraged.

Meanwhile, industry groups have raised concerns. They say the law could hurt startups, lead to job losses, and push users toward illegal offshore platforms. But the government insists that public safety comes first.

Final Thoughts

The ban on 25 betting apps is a major step toward protecting users from online gambling risks. While some argue that skill-based games should be treated differently, the government believes a full ban is needed to stop misuse and financial harm.

If you use gaming apps, make sure they are legal and don’t involve real money. Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources or offshore websites. And if you see ads promoting banned platforms, report them to authorities.

India’s gaming future is shifting toward safe, skill-based entertainment and this new law is the start of that journey.

Also read – India’s Game Changer: Why the New Online Gaming Bill Could Reshape Digital Entertainment Forever

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