Highlights
- The Supreme Court will hear challenges to India’s PROGA gaming ban.
- CASC flags around 2K gaming apps over alleged gambling operations.
- Verdict could reshape India’s real-money gaming industry.
India’s Supreme Court is moving toward final hearings on petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2025. The proceedings place the country’s nationwide real-money gaming (RMG) ban before the highest court.
The case could determine whether the prohibition covering both skill-based and chance-based online money games remains in force.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymala Bagchi and V. Mohana has directed the parties to complete their pleadings before final adjudication. Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, is representing the Union government.
PROGA Challenge Puts 2K Gaming Apps Under Scrutiny
The proceedings also cover a public interest litigation filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC). The petition seeks action against online gambling and betting platforms allegedly operating under the guise of e-sports games.
Appearing for CASC, Advocate Virag Gupta told the bench that a previous bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala had directed the center to respond to the plea. Gupta also pointed to a list of around 2K gaming applications alleged to be conducting betting and gambling operations in India, despite the law already being before the court and government.
The Supreme Court had earlier taken up the CASC plea and directed the matter to proceed alongside the broader challenge.
What Does India’s Real-Money Gaming Ban Prohibit?
The Parliament passed the Act on Aug 21, 2025, and it received presidential assent on Aug 22, 2025. The government brought it into force on May 1, 2026. PROGA prohibits online money games, their advertising, and the transfer of funds connected with such services.
The ban had direct commercial consequences during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, cutting off RMG platforms from activities around one of India’s biggest sporting properties.
Operators can face up to three years in prison and a INR 1 cr fine for offering prohibited services. Advertising violations can carry up to two years in prison and fines of up to INR 50L, while prohibited fund transactions can attract up to three years in prison and fines of up to INR 1 cr.
The final constitutional ruling will determine the next legal framework for India’s Real-Money Gaming (RMG) industry.
