India Bans Real-Money Online Poker

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In August 2025, India passed a new law banning all real-money online games, including poker, rummy, and fantasy sports, even if they're considered skill-based. The government says it’s to curb addiction, financial harm, and illegal activity.

As a result, major platforms like Pokerbaazi, pokerstars india, Dream11 and MPL have stopped paid games. The gaming industry is pushing back, arguing the ban is too broad and unfair to games of skill. Legal challenges are likely ahead.

For now, real-money online poker is banned nationwide, unless courts overturn the decision

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Online Gaming Bill tabled in Lok Sabha: Government cracks down on digital betting, gambling; seeks total ban - The Times of India

India Business News: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, has been introduced in the Lok Sabha, aiming to regulate online gaming by banning real-money
timesofindia.indiatimes.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com
 
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It was done on 21 August and you can still play on offshore companies
 
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deadbeat100 said:
In August 2025, India passed a new law banning all real-money online games, including poker, rummy, and fantasy sports, even if they're considered skill-based. The government says it’s to curb addiction, financial harm, and illegal activity.

As a result, major platforms like Pokerbaazi, pokerstars india, Dream11 and MPL have stopped paid games. The gaming industry is pushing back, arguing the ban is too broad and unfair to games of skill. Legal challenges are likely ahead.

For now, real-money online poker is banned nationwide, unless courts overturn the decision
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Do you have a link to this news?
 
As long as it is about a software criteria decision, the idea lucks like a good one. Maybe casinos table are more fare for those who practice "games of skill". Just looking back all the scandals with Full Tilt, PS and others.
 
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That's bad news, since India has such a huge potential for the future of poker. I hope it will be regulated, not completely banned.

Totally unrelated, but I'm completely in love with your food. I can devour a nan with some good curry anytime of the day. 😍
 
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The problem with such a broad ban is that it doesn’t really solve the issue. People who want to gamble will always find ways, and pushing poker underground only makes it less safe. Instead of protecting players, it could lead to more risks with unregulated platforms.

Countries that chose regulation over prohibition have built safer environments while still generating tax revenue. Maybe this decision will be challenged and adjusted, but for now it looks like a big setback for the poker scene in India.
 
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Its very good for india. Indian most like rummy players not poker
 
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Having been involved in gambling for over a decade, I would say a ban is somewhat necessary—at least in India. Personally, I have lost far more than I could ever afford on various online gambling platforms such as sports betting and rummy. It was only in the past year that I discovered poker, and through that, I managed to recover a small portion of my losses. So, from my perspective, such a ban does not directly benefit me.

However, looking at the bigger picture, statistics show that only about 10–15% of players ever make money in the long run. In a country like India, where the majority come from middle-class backgrounds, restricting gambling could actually improve overall well-being and contribute positively to the economy.
 
I think the country is regressing on this issue, poker is already considered a sport, there is no reason to ban it.
 
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Rahul P Gopal said:
Having been involved in gambling for over a decade, I would say a ban is somewhat necessary—at least in India. Personally, I have lost far more than I could ever afford on various online gambling platforms such as sports betting and rummy. It was only in the past year that I discovered poker, and through that, I managed to recover a small portion of my losses. So, from my perspective, such a ban does not directly benefit me.

However, looking at the bigger picture, statistics show that only about 10–15% of players ever make money in the long run. In a country like India, where the majority come from middle-class backgrounds, restricting gambling could actually improve overall well-being and contribute positively to the economy.
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So because you have a gambling problem, other people in your country shouldn't have the option to play if they choose to? You want your government to tell you what you can and can't do?
I prefer to take responsibility for myself and I am SOOOO GRATEFUL that online poker is available to me where I live.
 
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Poker Orifice said:
So because you have a gambling problem, other people in your country shouldn't have the option to play if they choose to? You want your government to tell you what you can and can't do?
I prefer to take responsibility for myself and I am SOOOO GRATEFUL that online poker is available to me where I live.
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It would be so kind, if you read my message properly. I had clearly mentioned that this ban does not help me at all. And you can’t broadly blame Government for taking actions without knowing the actual economy.
 
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But even if it comes back huge TDS , looks like they are planning for 40% TDS if it comes back.

​

 
Analysts claimed about the development of gambling in the next few years in one of the poker news. However, more and more countries are forced to abandon online business.
 
I still see Indian players at GG. How does that work with the ban?
My best guess would be bribes for Indian politicians
 
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G0930 said:
I still see Indian players at GG. How does that work with the ban?
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Presumably the same way people living in the USA play on sites like ACR Poker. GG Poker does not operate inside India but from some other "offshore" location, where its legal, and players in India access their service via the internet.
 
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fundiver199 said:
Presumably the same way people living in the USA play on sites like ACR Poker. GG Poker does not operate inside India but from some other "offshore" location, where its legal, and players in India access their service via the internet.
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If India implement this ban they block also access to severs.regardless where they are located.

It's probably Indians living abroad who registered at GG before the ban.
When I am outside of my country and open GG, it still shows my Austrian flag
 
G0930 said:
If India implement this ban they block also access to severs.regardless where they are located.
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Yeah I guess, they could do that.
G0930 said:
It's probably Indians living abroad who registered at GG before the ban. When I am outside of my country and open GG, it still shows my Austrian flag
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That might well be the answer.
 
fundiver199 said:
Yeah I guess, they could do that.

That might well be the answer.
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Yes I also think I just answered my own question 😆
 
good decision poker is gambling and shouldn´t be allowed in any country.
 
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Oh no!!! We really messed up!!! And I still meet players from India on ACR and PokerStars.
 
This issue is not black and white. Yes, online gambling has caused harm to many people in India, and some regulation is definitely needed.

But a complete ban, especially including skill-based games like poker and rummy, feels too extreme. Bans usually don’t stop gambling; they only push players to offshore and unsafe platforms.

A proper regulated system with limits and player protection would be a better solution than an outright ban. Hopefully the courts or government will reconsider this approach.
 
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