The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill has officially been passed, banning all real-money games (RMGs). As a result, companies such as Dream11, Gameskraft, Mobile Premier League (MPL), and Zupee have reportedly suspended contests and paid games on their platforms — the very formats that served as their primary revenue streams. “People have lost their entire life savings [in these games],” said Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who defended the bill. The new law seeks to promote eSports and non-monetary gaming, while supporting these formats through tournaments, training, and educational initiatives.

Game designer Zain Memon and filmmaker Anand Gandhi, known for the critically acclaimed Tumbbad (2018), are also the minds behind board games Shasn and Maya. They see this legislation as a necessary step away from exploitative gambling models. “RMG is just another name for gambling. Games are a powerful medium to bring people together, to entertain, and to educate. Using that power to create addictive loops is exploitative,” Memon told mid-day. 

He added that the bill does not affect their work. “Gambling has never been part of what we do. Our plan was always to build competitive and skill-based games.” While the bill restricts gambling-related formats, it doesn’t entirely shut the door on game monetisation. “Monetisation will exist, but through fair and creative models — expansions, stories, collectibles, and experiences that deepen play,” Memon explained.