Asia

India Bans Real-Money Gaming

Published

1 month ago

August 22, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutes

India’s lower house of parliament has passed a sweeping online gaming bill that, while promoting esports and casual gaming without monetary stakes, imposes a blanket ban on real-money games — threatening to disrupt billions of dollars in investment and significantly impact the real-money gaming industry, which could see widespread shutdowns.

Titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, the legislation aims to prohibit real-money games nationwide — whether based on skill or chance — and ban both their advertisement and associated financial transactions.

“In this bill, priority has been given to the welfare of society and to avoid a big evil that is creeping into society,” India’s IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament while introducing the bill.

The proposed legislation restricts banks and other financial institutions from allowing transactions for real-money games in the country. Anyone offering these games could face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to ₹10 million (approximately $115,000), or both. Additionally, celebrities promoting such games on any media platform could be liable for up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of ₹5 million (roughly $57000), the bill states.

Vaishnaw said the decision to bring the legislation was to address several incidents of harm, including cases where individuals reportedly died by suicide after losing money in games. However, industry stakeholders largely attribute these incidents to offshore betting and gambling apps, which many believe will not be addressed by this legislation.

“This law is bound to face litigation as it fails the test of proportionality under Article 19(1)(g). Instead of safeguarding consumers, it dismantles compliant onshore companies while opening the door wider for illegal offshore betting platforms that are the real source of financial harm,” said Meghna Bal, director of the New Delhi-based think tank Esya Centre.

Article 19(1)(g) of India’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business.

Ahead of the bill’s introduction in the Indian Parliament, industry bodies wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene. The letter — sent by the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports, All India Gaming Federation and E-Gaming Federation warned that the proposed legislation could benefit “illegal offshore gambling operations” while forcing Indian businesses to shut down. These industry bodies represent Dream Sports, MPL, WinZO, Gameskraft, Nazara Technologies and Zupee, among other real-money gaming companies.

“By shutting down regulated and responsible Indian platforms, it will drive [millions] of players into the hands of illegal matka networks, offshore gambling websites, and fly-by-night operators who operate without any safeguards, consumer protections, or taxation,” the letter stated. (Matka is a form of illegal gambling that originated in India, involving betting on random numbers.)

The three industry bodies estimated that real-money gaming startups in India have a combined enterprise valuation of ₹2 trillion (approximately $23 billion), generate cumulative revenues of ₹310 billion (around $3.6 billion), and contribute ₹200 billion (roughly $2.29 billion) annually in direct and indirect taxes. They also project a 28% compound annual growth rate that would double the industry’s size by 2028. The industry groups warned that the blanket ban could result in the loss of more than 200,000 jobs and the closure of over 400 companies.

A similar letter was also written to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah by these three industry associations.

The bill was passed by voice vote in a noisy lower house less than seven minutes after it was introduced for debate. It now requires approval from the upper house and the president to become law.

Meanwhile, some companies in casual gaming and esports have welcomed the move.

“We applaud this decision as it allows us to focus on the ongoing concerns as a business — monetization, retention, and most importantly, building great IP for India and the world, rather than having to explain to our audiences what we are to begin with,” said Sumit Batheja, CEO and co-founder of Ginger Games, which is part of Krafton’s Indian gaming incubator and makes hyper casual games.

Krafton is the South Korean gaming company behind the popular battle royale game PUBG.

In 2023, the Indian government amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to curb “user harm” from real-money games and proposed self-regulatory bodies to limit illegal betting and gambling while allowing legitimate games. However, the self-regulation approach faltered due to conflicts among industry stakeholders over enforcement and standards.

New Delhi imposed a 28% tax on online gaming in 2023 to curb real-money play, prompting an outcry from industry stakeholders. Top investors — including Tiger Global, Peak XV Partners and Kotak — urged Modi to reconsider, warning of $2.5 billion in write-offs and the potential loss of one million jobs. The tax, however, remained in place, even as companies challenged its retrospective application in the Supreme Court. Recent reports suggest it may be revised upward to 40% under new rules.

The post India Bans Real-Money Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI

Published

3 days ago

September 29, 2025

Wladimir P.

fight-vs.-illegal-gambling-gets-boost-with-php50m-pagcor-grant-to-nbi

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday committed Php50 million in financial assistance to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen operations against illegal gaming, including the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The support was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

An initial Php25 million was immediately turned over by PAGCOR to the NBI, representing the first tranche of the total assistance, during the MOA signing.

In his message during the ceremony, Tengco said the partnership with the NBI underscores PAGCOR’s mission not only to regulate gaming and generate revenues for nation-building but also to protect the integrity of the industry.

“This morning, we are signing a Memorandum of Agreement that underscores the shared responsibility of PAGCOR and the NBI in promoting lawful, fair, and responsible gaming in the Philippines,” he said.

“This assistance will defray the cost of food and expenses for POGO detainees, as well as support the Bureau’s legitimate operations against illegal gaming activities.”

Mr. Tengco said the agreement likewise demonstrates PAGCOR’s resolve to safeguard the gaming industry and ensure that revenues from legal gaming truly benefit the Filipino people.

“Illegal gambling operators undermine our laws, exploit our people, and put our communities at risk. By working hand in hand with the NBI, we are sending a strong message that we will not allow unlawful gaming practices to persist,” he said.

For his part, NBI Director Santiago said PAGCOR’s assistance would boost the Bureau’s capabilities to pursue its mandate.

“The NBI welcomes PAGCOR’s assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,” he said.

The post Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

BETBY EXPANDS ASIAN MARKET PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BROADWAY PLATFORM

Published

1 week ago

September 25, 2025

George Miller

betby-expands-asian-market-presence-through-partnership-with-broadway-platform

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BETBY, the innovative sportsbook provider, has entered into a new partnership with Broadway Platform, a leading operator that manages over 30 online platforms while also delivering bespoke B2B services and B2C brands worldwide. As part of the deal, Broadway Platform will integrate BETBY’s award-winning sportsbook solution across its portfolio.

Through this collaboration, Broadway Platform will gain access to BETBY’s comprehensive sportsbook, featuring 500,000+ events per month, 8,000+ betting markets, and coverage of 125+ sports and 50+ esports disciplines.

The agreement also includes Betby Games, BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, which delivers 400,000+ live matches per month across 25 sports simulations with 100% video coverage, as well as AI Labs, a full suite of AI-driven sportsbook tools. With dedicated modules for odds creation, risk management, UX optimisation, and operations, AI Labs empowers operators with real-time insights, personalisation, and operational efficiency.

The Broadway Platform project is supported by SPRIBE, a leading iGaming company recognised for its innovative products and next-generation, mobile-first gaming experiences that resonate strongly with modern players. SPRIBE has made a significant impact on the online gaming industry, and its involvement underlines the ambition and innovative spirit of the collaboration.

Broadway Platform’s move to partner with BETBY underscores the supplier’s commitment to innovation and scalability, while strengthening its focus on the Asian-facing market, where it has been actively localising its solutions to meet regional demands.

Stefanos Karakidis, Business Development Director at BETBY, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Broadway Platform, a company with an outstanding reputation in both B2C and B2B operations. By integrating our sportsbook, Betby Games, and AI Labs, Broadway is set to enhance its offering and deliver a cutting-edge experience to its customers. This partnership highlights our shared vision of growth, innovation, and market leadership.”

Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Working with BETBY marks an important step for us as we extend our global footprint. Their technology, depth of content, and AI-driven tools provide us with the flexibility and scale needed to deliver a world-class betting experience. We are confident this collaboration will unlock significant opportunities for growth.”

The post BETBY EXPANDS ASIAN MARKET PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BROADWAY PLATFORM appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

ArenaPlus

DigiPlus Announces Partnership with PhilFirst

Published

1 week ago

September 23, 2025

Niji Narayan

digiplus-announces-partnership-with-philfirst

Reading Time: 2 minutes

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the Philippines’ premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond programme for online gaming players – setting a new benchmark in player protection. The programme takes effect immediately.

For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected.

Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to ₱1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.

“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection. We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco.

How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?

Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.

Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to ₱1 million per player.

Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone.

This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.

With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards – delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security and peace of mind for its customers.

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