India’s Online Poker “Black Friday” – Real-Money Games Banned

India ’s online poker and gaming industry has been upended by the impending passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which is set to eliminate all real-money gaming, including poker and fantasy sports, from legal operation within the country.

The law erases the previous distinction between “games of skill” and “games of chance,” leading regulated online poker operators like Natural8 , PokerBaazi, PokerStars India, Junglee Games, to suspend real-money offerings for Indian players.

India’s Online Poker Ban With Heavy Impact

The bill was rushed through parliament in just two days, clearing both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha by voice vote. Now it only awaits the President’s assent, which is seen as a formality.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the move, calling real-money gaming a “social ill” linked to addiction, financial ruin, money laundering, and even terror financing. He compared the ban to earlier nationwide crackdowns on e-cigarettes and chit funds, insisting that “public welfare must come before tax revenue.”

The law:

• Bans all real-money games, including online poker, rummy, and fantasy sports
• Criminalizes advertising and payment processing for such games
• Introduces penalties of up to three years in jail and fines.
• Non-money online games like e-sports and casual apps are not affected.

Immediate Fallout

As anticipated, the bill’s impact has been swift and far-reaching. Natural8in.com, one of the most trusted online poker platforms for thousands in India, has joined leading domestic operators in halting all services to comply with the new regulations. Many top fantasy sports providers, including Dream11 and MPL, have also shuttered paid contests, affecting not just their users but essential financial sponsors for Indian cricket events.

Legal Challenges and Outlook

The bill is anticipated to face legal challenges, arguing that gaming regulation is traditionally a state matter and that skill-based games like poker should not be banned under this legislation. Legal experts have expressed skepticism about the bill’s constitutionality, and precedents exist where state-level bans were overturned for being disproportionate.

The Economic Cost

The industry is warning of a massive economic hit. Reports predict nearly 400 startups could be affected, threatening over 200,000 jobs, with losses approaching ₹25,000 crore (~$3 billion USD) in foreign direct investment (FDI) and close to ₹20,000 crore (~$2.4 billion USD) in annual tax revenue for the government.

Ironically, the Indian government collected almost $822 million in taxes from real-money gaming in just six months during 2023–24. That figure reflects nearly $3 billion in deposits, despite a punishing 28% tax rate.

India’s Leading Poker Champions

India has produced some of the world’s top poker professionals who have earned millions on the global stage. Leading among them is Santhosh Suvarna, who boasts career earnings exceeding $18.9 million through high-stakes tournament victories worldwide, including wins at the World Series of Poker and Triton Poker events.

Following him is Vivek Rajkumar, with over $8 million in career earnings, known for his success in major international tournaments.

In third place stands Ankit Ahuja, who has accumulated more than $3.3 million in winnings, underscoring India’s significant presence on the global poker scene.

Despite this success, the Indian online poker industry faces a grave challenge following new legislation.

Poker Sites Still Serving Indian Poker Players

While domestic regulated sites exit the market, Indian poker players can still access several offshore platforms operating outside Indian jurisdiction, including:

• CoinPoker : A crypto poker platform offering anonymous play and generous bonuses, accessible to Indian users through cryptocurrency.
• ACR Poker (Americas Cardroom) : Part of the Winning Poker Network, offering a wide variety of poker games and tournaments with mobile app support, continuing to accept Indian players.
• Stake : A crypto-focused gambling site also offering poker, operational for Indian users due to its offshore and crypto-friendly framework.

Summary

India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, introduces a landmark but contentious national ban on real-money online games, closing the doors on a vibrant industry overnight. 

Domestic operators like Natural8in.com have ceased real-money online poker play, while offshore online poker sites like CoinPoker, ACR Poker, and Stake Poker remain accessible but legally ambiguous. The coming months will determine how this law reshapes the Indian gaming landscape amid legal battles, economic impact, and evolving regulatory frameworks.