ONLINE GAMING LAW
SC transfers all petitions challenging online gaming law to itself
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sought a transfer of three pending cases from the high courts to the apex court on the grounds that different HCs may arrive at inconsistent findings on the same Central legislation.
Karnataka HC defers hearing on online gaming law pending clarity on SC hearing
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Karnataka High Court that the Centre had filed a petition in the apex court seeking transfer of pending petitions in HCs on the subject to itself. A writ petition was filed by Head Digital Works, the parent company of online gaming platform A23, challenging the law banning online real-money games. Other petitions on this matter are pending before the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh HCs.
General counsels step up as strategic leaders in India Inc
The role of general counsel in corporate India is evolving beyond traditional legal functions. Lawyers are increasingly taking on operational mandates, becoming business unit heads, COOs, and CEOs. This shift reflects a growing recognition of legal expertise as central to business strategy, driven by complex regulations and risk management needs.
BCCI's Devajit Saikia opens up on parting ways with Dream 11 as Jersey sponsors
The Board of Control for Cricket in India ended its deal with Dream11. Dream11 was the Indian cricket team's jersey sponsor. The Online Gaming Bill led to this decision. The bill aims to regulate online gaming. Devajit Saikia of BCCI spoke about the contract termination. BCCI plans to find a new sponsor.
BCCI increases Indian team's jersey sponsorship rates
Sponsoring the Indian cricket team will cost more. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has increased match fees. This follows Dream11's departure due to the Online Gaming Act, 2025. The new rates apply to ICC and ACC events. The board expects to earn over Rs 400 crore. Bids are invited, excluding real money gaming and crypto companies.
Law to regulate online gaming brought without heeding to any pressure: PM Modi
In an interaction with national awardee teachers, the prime minister said there are huge job opportunities in online gaming market and urged teachers to sensitise students about opportunities in the sector which can be tapped.
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Zomato, Swiggy's GST woes; Amazon's $200-million Axio deal
With the overhaul of India's GST regime, food delivery companies Zomato and Swiggy stare at a new tax burden. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
SC to hear Centre’s plea to transfer Online Gaming Act petitions
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Centre's plea to transfer petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 from multiple high courts to avoid conflicting decisions.
GST council hikes tax on online real money gaming and betting to 40% from 28%
The GST Council raised tax on online real money gaming from 28% to 40%, classifying it as a ‘sin good’ alongside casinos and betting. Household games saw a GST cut to 5%. This follows Parliament’s ban on online real money gaming to curb fraud, money laundering,, terror financing other such activities it claimed to be happening due to these platforms.
Centre moves Supreme Court seeking transfer of pleas against online gaming law from HCs to avoid 'conflicting verdicts'
The Central government has asked the Supreme Court to move cases against the Online Gaming Regulation Act, 2025. These cases are currently in different high courts. The government wants the Supreme Court to hear them together. This is to ensure consistent rulings. The Online Gaming Regulation Act, 2025 bans real-money online gaming nationwide.
End of an era — Streameast, largest illegal sports streaming hub, shut down by authorities
Streameast, a popular sports streaming site known for providing free access to live games, has been shut down by global authorities due to copyright violations. The platform, which attracted over 1.6 billion visits, faced increasing pressure from the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, leading to arrests and the dismantling of its network.
Govt to frame rules, set up authority under Online Gaming Act soon: Centre tells Delhi HC
The Centre told the Delhi High Court it will soon notify The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and constitute a regulatory authority. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government supports online gaming but flagged risks of money games causing addiction.
BigBasket top brass churn; RMG ban pain manifests
Happy Tuesday! BigBasket CEO Hari Menon is expected to take a step back as part of a leadership transition. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Real-money gaming apps see sharp decline in downloads, begin layoffs
The Online Gaming Bill, 2025 triggered a collapse in real-money gaming apps, with downloads plunging 60–95% for MPL, Winzo, and Zupee. Dream11 bucked the trend, doubling installs despite the ban. While most players accepted the law, A23 has legally challenged it.
MPL to slash local workforce as real-money gaming ban wipes out India biz
As a group, India accounted for 50% of Mobile Premier League (MPL) parent M-League's revenue and this change would mean that we will no longer be making any money from India in the near future, the CEO told employees over email.
Gaming app MPL to sack 60% of India staff after real-money gaming ban, source says
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government this month banned online paid games, citing financial and addiction risks especially among youth, leading to a shutdown of many gaming apps offering paid fantasy cricket, rummy and poker games.
Nazara Technologies shares in focus after termination of Rs 16 crore I3 interactive deal
Nazara Technologies shares: Nazara Technologies announced that it served a termination notice to I3 Interactive on August 31, 2025. Under the agreement terms, the deal will be considered terminated 30 days from the notice date, unless the issues are resolved earlier.
Stop them at the gate! India has a new battle against the betting traps
An Indian parliamentary committee is pushing for stricter digital verification of offshore betting advertisers, citing a surge in fraudulent promotions targeting Indian users. This comes after a ban on domestic real money gaming (RMG) crippled local platforms, inadvertently opening the door for foreign sites like Parimatch and 1XBet.
Real-money gaming ban triggers split in industry response: Legal challenge vs compliance
While most big companies in the RMG space have complied with the new law, one firm, Head Digital Works, which owns India’s top online gaming platform A23, has moved court.
Gaming company callenges new law in Karnataka High Court
Head Digital Works challenges the Online Gaming Act, 2025 in Karnataka High Court. The company questions the Centre's legislative competence. It argues the Act violates constitutional rights and Supreme Court rulings. The petition highlights the government's previous support for online gaming. It points out the Prime Minister's recognition of gaming as a viable career.
India’s online money gaming ban faces first legal challenge as A23 owner moves Karnataka HC
Head Digital Works, the parent company of A23, has challenged the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025, in the Karnataka High Court. This action follows the passage of the Online Gaming Bill, which bans online money games to combat addiction and fraud.
Gameskraft complies with Online Gaming Act; will not pursue legal action
Gameskraft will not legally challenge the new Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans real-money games. It has already halted such services on its Rummy platforms and cleared all dues. The company now plans to explore compliant opportunities, focusing on innovation, player safety, and alignment with India’s evolving digital gaming regulations.
Offshore betting sites cash in as RMG ban-hit local players retreat
India's ban on real money gaming sees offshore platforms surge. Parimatch and 1XBet offer huge deposit bonuses. Experts warn of uncontrolled gambling and cybercrime. The govt defends the ban as protecting society. Illegal sites exploit loopholes, routing money via crypto. They use aggressive marketing and rigged games. Experts highlight risks of fraud and lack of player protection.
Dream11 in talks with BCCI to exit ₹358 crore jersey sponsorship after gaming ban
Dream11 is in talks with the BCCI to potentially exit its jersey sponsorship deal due to the government's ban on real-money gaming, impacting advertising for such platforms. The new online gaming law prohibits promotion of these games, making the sponsorship unfeasible.
President Murmu gives assent to Online Gaming Bill
President Murmu has approved The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aiming to encourage e-sports and online social games while banning harmful online money gaming. The legislation targets service providers, advertisers, and financial facilitators of such games with penalties, not the players themselves.
Rs 20,000 crore gone every year: Data shows how online gaming is burning a hole in Indians’ pockets
The Indian government estimates a staggering Rs 20,000 crore loss annually due to online real-money gaming, impacting nearly 45 crore people. Prioritising public welfare, the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, banning real-money games. The government will support e-sports and social gaming, while state governments enforce the ban, with violators facing hefty penalties.
Govt estimates 45 cr people lose about Rs 20,000 cr annually from real money gaming
The government is concerned about online real money gaming. It estimates significant financial losses for many citizens. A new bill, "Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025", is proposed. It aims to ban money gaming but promote eSports. Violators could face fines and imprisonment. Industry bodies have voiced concerns about potential job losses.
Centre to table Online Gaming Regulation Bill in Lok Sabha today
The central government will present the Online Gaming Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha. Ashwini Vaishnaw will introduce the bill. It focuses on regulating online gaming and e-sports. The bill aims to curb online money games and protect users. It seeks to establish a national framework. The move addresses concerns about addiction and fraud.
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