The Indian Government’s recent blanket ban on real-money games (RMGs) has sparked widespread debate across the gaming industry. While the move is intended to address pressing social and legal concerns, it also raises important questions about the future of online gaming in India. The decision stems from a combination of factors including legal ambiguities, inconsistent state-level regulations, a surge in addiction related issues, rising debt and suicides, and growing concerns around fraud and money laundering.

In this Q&A,Jaydeep Chakravartty, Business Consultant in Gaming (pictured below) explains the reasoning behind the ban, its impact on society, and what it could mean for the industry going forward.

We’re also joined by Deepanshul Rana (pictured), who served as Gaming Lead at Sony Pictures Network in India before taking his expertise global as a Country Manager for a leading betting brand in the LatAm region. Deepanshul shares his insights on the topic and illustrates how his experience in the Indian market served as a springboard for building a successful career in other regions of the iGaming industry.

1. One concern people have is that this might just push gamers toward less regulated platforms. Do you think that’s a valid worry, and how is the government planning to handle that?

This is a valid worry. The Government must ensure proper mechanisms are in place to stop Indians from accessing these unregulated platforms. Having said that, this bill will also make it difficult for offshore companies to operate in India. Many of the penalties are very harsh and it will deter local vendors of these offshore companies from continuing to operate in this space.

2.If you had a seat at the table, what kind of regulatory framework would you push for? What’s a middle ground that still protects consumers but doesn’t eliminate the entire iGaming space?

Having been part of the Gaming industry for more than 22 years and having seen both regulated and unregulated markets, it is very clear that prohibitions do not work. Prohibitions push players to shady operators where they don’t have any consumer rights.

During my time as a member of the Meghalaya Gaming Commission, which was India’s first and only Gaming Commission, we made multiple representations to the Central Government and pushed for a proper taxation and a regulation that will ensure player rights are protected and at the same time will help in growth of the industry. Our Goal was to create a vibrant gaming ecosystem in India where proper safety measures are put in place, and at the same time, there is room for growth for the industry.

3. If not a full-on ban, what do you think a more balanced or thoughtful approach to regulating real-money games could look like?

A mid-way path could have been as follows:

• Licensing & Oversight: Operators must obtain licenses from a national gaming regulator (similar to UK Gambling Commission)
• Responsible Gaming Safeguards like Spending & deposit limits, Self-exclusion & cooling-off options, Age verification to prevent underage gaming
• Financial & Consumer Protection: Platforms must keep player funds in escrow (separate from company accounts) and Instant withdrawal rights for winnings.
• Taxation & Economic Clarity
• Advertising & Promotion Controls
• Strong Enforcement Against Bad Actors

4. Lastly, what’s one thing you think people often misunderstand about real-money gaming?

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that people often lump all real-money games together as “gambling”. Though some of the side effects like player addiction, financial losses can be equally applicable to all types of gamings.

Finally, I would like to add that gaming should be treated as part of the entertainment industry, and it is not a source of income. The fact that it can give you the thrill of the winnings should be part of the entertainment process and not the sole reason someone is getting engaged.

Deepanshul Rana, former Gaming Lead at Sony Pictures Network in India turned Country Manager for a betting brand in the LatAm market, shares his insights on the topic, highlighting how his experience in India became a springboard for building a successful career across global iGaming markets.

“The recent blanket ban on real money gaming in India, while disruptive in the short term, could bring about several positive outcomes for the industry. First, it creates much-needed clarity in regulation, allowing the government to crack down on companies that were operating gambling products under the guise of skill gaming. At the same time, it gives a strong push to esports and competitive gaming, which will now attract more talent, investment, and brand partnerships.”

“For companies and professionals affected by the ban, this is also an opportunity to look outward. Markets such as Latin America and Southeast Asia are emerging as new hubs for iGaming and esports, offering rapid growth and regulatory clarity. Having shifted my own focus from India to LatAm, I’ve seen firsthand how the region is booming and how companies can successfully expand and diversify their operations there.”

“In the long run, this shift will not only accelerate the rise of esports in India but also encourage Indian companies to become global players, tapping into fast-growing international markets while building a more sustainable and future-ready gaming ecosystem.”

“Overall, the ban on real money gaming in India, while disruptive, creates clarity and opens the door for esports to thrive. It also pushes companies to explore fast-growing markets such as Latin America and Southeast Asia. Having shifted focus to LatAm myself, I’ve seen how this move can turn short-term challenges into long-term global opportunities.”

While the blanket ban on real-money gaming in India represents a significant shift and brings some uncertainty, it also presents an opportunity for companies to explore international markets balancing short-term challenges with long-term potential.

As Deepanshul illustrates, professionals facing job losses or disruption in the Indian market can use their valuable industry experience as a springboard to build successful iGaming careers in other global jurisdictions.

Special thanks to both Jaydeep Chakravartty and Deepanshul Ranafor joining us in today’s article.