India’s Parliament officially approved the Online Gaming Bill 2025 on August 21. The bill, passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, introduces a nationwide ban on all real-money gaming platforms.
The law was introduced to protect citizens from:
- Gambling addiction
- Financial losses
- Misleading advertisements promising quick wealth
- Social issues caused by unauthorized betting platforms
The government has emphasized that this move will ensure a safer online gaming environment and eliminate platforms that exploit users.
5 Betting Apps Banned in 2025
In 2025, five major online apps were banned for allegedly violating the new rules and promoting unauthorized gambling.
| App Name | Reason for Ban |
|---|---|
| Winaura | Unauthorized gambling platform |
| Winstler42 | Violation of gambling regulations |
| Casinohermes | Unregulated gambling platform |
| Amunra1 | Unlicensed gambling activities |
| Polymarket | Non-compliance with financial regulations |
These platforms were found to encourage betting activities under the guise of online gaming, making them unsafe for users.
Previous Crackdown on Betting Apps (2023)
Even before the Online Gaming Bill 2025, the Indian government had already taken strict action. In December 2023, 174 gaming and betting apps were banned for violating regulations.
Some of the popular names included:
- Mahadev
- Parimatch
- Fairplay
- 1XBET
- Lotus365
- Dafabet
- BetwaySatta
A Few Examples of 2023 Banned Apps:
- Betway – Violation of local laws
- AndarBahar Poker – Promoted illegal gambling
- Big Winner – Misleading advertisements
- Zodiac Casino – Unlicensed gambling
- Jackpot City Casino – Offshore gambling activities
This large-scale ban highlighted the seriousness of the government’s efforts to regulate online gaming.
What Happens to User Funds?
A major concern for players is what will happen to their wallet balances on platforms like PokerBaazi, MPL, Zupee, and others.
The companies have confirmed that:
- Existing funds remain safe
- Users can withdraw their money without issues
- New deposits are blocked to comply with the Online Gaming Bill 2025
- MPL, Games24x7, PokerBaazi, and Zupee – Assured smooth withdrawal process
- WinZO – Will remove restricted games starting August 22
- Probo – Already discontinued all money-based formats
This step ensures players are not financially harmed despite the ban.
Final Thoughts
The Online Gaming Bill 2025 marks a major shift in India’s digital entertainment industry. While casual gaming apps are unaffected, real-money betting and gambling platforms now face a complete ban.
The government’s strict stance highlights its commitment to tackling online gambling addiction and ensuring responsible digital gaming.
For users, the good news is that their funds are secure, even though many betting apps are no longer accessible in India.