Indian Gaming Industry Urges Government to Delay Proposed Gaming Ban

New Delhi, Aug 20 (KNN) Leading online gaming associations in India have urged the government to reconsider its proposed ban on real-money online games, including those based on skill.

In a joint letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of India Fantasy Sports (FIFS) highlighted that such a move would severely impact a legitimate and fast-growing sector of the digital economy.

The industry bodies described online skill gaming as a sunrise sector that plays a critical role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s USD 1 trillion digital economy vision.

They emphasised that the sector currently holds an enterprise valuation of more than Rs 2 lakh crore, generates over Rs 31,000 crore in annual revenues, and contributes nearly Rs 20,000 crore in taxes.

The letter, dated August 19, warned that a blanket ban could lead to the closure of hundreds of companies, the loss of over 200,000 jobs, and a shift of players to unregulated offshore platforms.

This, the industry argued, would not only reduce tax collections but also raise concerns about user safety and data security.

The appeal comes as the government is preparing to table the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025” in Parliament.

The bill proposes to prohibit all forms of real-money online gaming and impose strict financial and criminal penalties for violations.

Industry leaders have stressed that instead of an outright prohibition, a balanced regulatory framework would be a more effective solution.

They believe such an approach would safeguard users, preserve jobs, attract investments, and ensure long-term economic growth while addressing concerns related to misuse of online gaming.

(KNN Bureau)