IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Discusses Transition with Real Money Gaming Firms Post-Ban
Government Officials Meet Real Money Gaming Firms
Government officials, including Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, reportedly held discussions with firms impacted by the Online Gaming Bill, 2025 on Monday. The IT minister met with representatives to talk about the implications of the online gaming bill, which recently received parliamentary approval, stressing the need for an orderly transition for firms that offered real money games, now banned under the new rules.
Parliament Passes Online Gaming Bill to Ban All Forms of Real Money Games
According to a Moneycontrol report, the discussions centered on promoting online and social games and esports, which are exempt from the new gaming regulations. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, passed in August, only seeks to ban real money games that have operated in a legally grey area.
The meeting highlighted the importance of user protection and how many platforms like Dream11, MPL, and Zupee have begun winding down operations. Affected companies communicated their compliance efforts with officials.
Indian Game Developers Unite
Notably, not all firms agreed with the ban. A23, operating online rummy and poker games, challenged the new rules in the High Court of Karnataka, claiming they disadvantage lawful skill-based gaming enterprises. Meanwhile, game developers formed an industry body, Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA), to advocate for their interests.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.