India has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. This landmark legislation recognizes esports and casual video games as separate from real-money gaming and gambling, setting the stage for a safer and more structured industry.
To better understand the potential of this bill, we gathered insights from four industry voices: Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, Deepak Ail, Co-founder and CEO of Dot9Games, Vishal Gondal, Co-founder of Ncore Games, Mohammed Ali Shaik, CEO and Co-founder of Goalreify, and Ahmad Shaquib, COO at GamingonPhone.
They shared their thoughts on what this bill means for the future of Indian gaming, esports, and game development.
Opportunities for Esports and Casual Games
The bill sees esports as a real competitive sport. It is described as a game of skill, discipline, and set rules, without any link to gambling. It supports organized tournaments, training new talent, and building a clear path for India to grow in the global esports scene. This step gives more respect to players, creators, and developers, while also opening chances for long-term growth.
Experts in the industry believe this bill is an important step that clearly separates gaming from gambling. They welcome the recognition of esports as a real sport but also ask for clear rules, better infrastructure, and steady support from the government to make the sector grow.
Akshat Rathee stressed the importance of regulatory clarity in making this bill effective. “The government’s intent to recognize and promote esports, as highlighted in the recent bill, is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem,” he said.
Animesh “Thug” Agarwal called it a landmark moment for the industry. “This bill marks a historic turning point for Indian esports. By drawing a clear line between skill-based competitive gaming and betting, it safeguards the integrity of our ecosystem while opening doors for structured growth,” he said.
Strong Regulatory Foundation Against Real-Money Games and Gambling
At the same time, the bill puts a strict ban on real-money gaming because of risks like addiction, money loss, and unfair designs. Apps and platforms that use betting or cash rewards, such as fantasy sports, will not be allowed. Anyone breaking these rules could face up to three years in jail, along with big fines. The government also plans to reduce addiction by setting time and spending limits.
Rathee added that “clear and consistent definitions will create a strong regulatory foundation that ensures investor confidence, long-term stability, and sustainable growth.” For Rathee, precise language separating esports, online gaming, and money gaming is critical for India to position itself as a true global esports powerhouse.
Vishal Gondal welcomed the decisive ban on real-money games while seeing it as a chance to boost original creativity. “I welcome the Govt’s decision to prohibit Real Money Gaming & establish a strong regulatory framework. Too many young lives were being lost to addiction & debt,” he said.
Carving India’s Own Gaming Identity
Deepak Ail highlighted how the framework could help Indian studios build cultural identity through games. “The government’s decision to provide a strong framework for gaming allows us to nurture original IP that represent and reflect our culture,” he explained.
He further added, “Just like Indian movies act as cultural soft power, Indian games too can rise to that level. We’re all too happy to be a part of this mission to put India on the global gaming map.”
Gondal shared that “this decisive step safeguards our youth while unlocking the future of Indian gaming, driven by original IP, creativity & Make in India games. Together, we can make India a global gaming superpower.”
The Risk of Losing Jobs and a “Hit” on a Booming Industry
Mohammed Ali Shaik warned that the proposed ban on real-money games could devastate India’s $3.7B gaming industry. He noted that “Real Money Games contributed 86% of sector revenue and supports 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly, contributing Rs 6,909 crore in GST in just H1 of FY24-25 alone.”
For him, the bill risks triggering mass layoffs, company shutdowns, and even a brain drain as talent moves abroad. “Just when India was establishing itself as a global gaming hub, we’re about to slam the brakes on one of our most promising growth sectors,” Mohammed cautioned.
Ahmad Shaquib fully supported the intent of the bill, emphasizing that “the exploitation, addiction, financial losses, broken families, and worst of all, the reported suicides due to debt from irresponsible gaming cannot be ignored anymore.”
However, Shaquib highlighted that India’s pattern of sudden, shock-driven policymaking is harmful to long-term stability. He pointed to past examples like demonetisation and crypto taxation, noting that “sudden blanket bans or erratic policy shifts show India in a negative light for investors.”
He added that while the RMG industry created companies valued in the billions, “sudden blanket bans” risk driving away foreign capital and hurting small studios. His request to policymakers was straightforward: “Ban, regulate, or tax whatever you must, but do it with a clear long-term roadmap from the beginning.”
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