Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: You can no longer legally advertise real-money gaming or online betting to players in India. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans all online money games, whether skill or chance, bans advertising them on any medium including influencers, and stops banks and wallets from processing related payments. Advertising can lead to up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of INR 50 lakh. Brands can still promote registered esports and free-to-play social or educational games.
India was once seen as one of the biggest growth markets for iGaming. The 2025 law changed that completely. This guide explains what the law says and what gaming brands can still do.
What the 2025 law bans
According to Mondaq, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025:
- Bans all online money games, whether based on skill or chance, including fantasy sports, poker and rummy.
- Bans advertising real-money gaming through TV, print, digital media and influencers.
- Bars banks, payment intermediaries and digital wallets from processing transactions for banned games.
- Penalises gaming services, advertisers and financial institutions rather than players.
Draft rules to implement the Act were released on 2 October 2025 for comment, so check the final rules with Indian counsel.
Penalties for advertising
| Offence | Maximum penalty (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Advertising online money games | Up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of INR 50 lakh |
| Repeat offence | Up to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of INR 2 crore |
These penalties apply to advertisers and, by extension, create serious risk for agencies, networks and influencers who promote banned games.
What is still allowed
The Act separates banned money games from activities the government wants to promote:
- Esports: skill-only competitive games registered under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. Entry fees and prize money are allowed, but no betting or staking.
- Online social games: games for entertainment or skill development with no staking for money. Subscriptions and one-time access fees are allowed.
- Educational games.
Brands in these categories can still advertise, provided they follow general advertising rules and make clear there is no real-money staking.
What this means for advertisers
- Stop real-money gaming campaigns targeting India. This includes casinos, sportsbooks, fantasy sports with cash prizes, poker and rummy.
- Exclude India in campaign targeting for gambling and money-game offers, and check affiliates and influencers do the same.
- Review existing content such as landing pages and partner sites aimed at Indian players.
- Consider permitted categories such as registered esports or free-to-play games.
- Watch the final rules and any court challenges.
CliqBetter does not run real-money gaming campaigns targeting India.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an offshore licence makes advertising to India legal. It does not.
- Using “skill game” labels to promote cash games, since the Act covers skill and chance.
- Running influencer promotions for money games.
- Leaving old India-targeted landing pages and affiliate content live.
For markets where licensed gambling advertising is possible, see our overview of gambling advertising laws around the world and our trending GEOs for gambling campaigns.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 bans all online money games, including skill-based games such as fantasy sports, poker and rummy.
No. The Act bans advertising real-money gaming on any medium, including influencers, with penalties of up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of INR 50 lakh.
Registered esports without betting, online social games with no money staking, and educational games.
No. The ban applies to advertising real-money games to people in India regardless of where the operator is licensed.
Advertise in licensed markets
CliqBetter runs gambling campaigns only where operators are licensed and advertising is allowed. Book a demo to plan compliant GEOs.