India’s Supreme Court is to hear a major challenge to the country’s recently enacted online gambling ban. The court will hear petitions Nov. 4 from a group of online gaming operators challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which effectively bans all online money games and related services, according to Inside Asian Gaming.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court of India will hear from online gaming operators Tuesday.
- Petitioners are challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act.
- Industry groups argue the ban is a breach of the country’s constitution.
The hearing brings together several petitions filed in the high courts of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology requested the transfer be made to the Supreme Court, warning that separate rulings could lead to conflicting interpretations and legal uncertainty. This means other similar petitions could also be moved to the Supreme Court.
Passed by parliament Aug. 21 and signed into law the following day, the act prohibits not only online casino games but also skill-based activities, such as fantasy sports, esports, and poker.Online Gaming Act
The passage of the bill shocked the country’s fast-growing digital gaming industry, which had seen billions in investment over the past five years.
Under the legislation, any company or individual offering real-money online games faces fines and a potential jail sentence of up to three years. Industry groups say the ban contravenes Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to practice any profession or carry on any trade or business.
The case is a huge test of India’s approach to online gaming and of the government's approach to balancing economics with social impact. A report earlier this year called for stricter enforcement to tackle illegal online gambling in the country.
Indonesia warns of soaring online gambling turnover
Elsewhere in the region, Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) projected the nation’s online gambling turnover could reach R150.36 trillion ($9.3 billion) by the end of 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing regulators in another major Asian nation.
PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana said stronger enforcement from the communication minister and national police chief could reduce that figure by 58%, potentially limiting deposits to R28.98 trillion ($1.8 billion).
Yustiavandana also warned of the potential human toll of online gambling, pointing out that 3.8 million of Indonesia’s 8.8 million online gamblers in 2024 were in debt, with most earning less than R5 million ($309) per month. Many, he said, spend up to 90% of their income on gambling, exacerbating financial hardship among low-income households.
The data highlights the dual regional trend of tightening restrictions on online gambling and gaming as governments across Asia move to confront mounting social, economic, and legal challenges in the fast-expanding digital entertainment sector.
