By StrikeOdds Desk, Editorial team for Indian sports betting and casino
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA) is the most significant piece of gambling legislation in India’s history. Passed by Parliament in August 2025, it introduces a blanket ban on all “online money games” and establishes a central regulatory framework for the first time. For Indian bettors, it has raised serious questions about the future of online sports betting, fantasy sports, and real-money casino gaming in India.
Here is everything you need to know about PROGA – what the law actually says, what has changed in practice, the Supreme Court challenge, and what it means for you as a bettor.
What Is PROGA 2025?
PROGA stands for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. It is a central law passed by the Indian Parliament that creates a comprehensive legal framework for online gaming. Despite the word “Promotion” in its title, the Act’s most significant provision is a blanket ban on all online money games.
Key dates:
- August 19, 2025: Cabinet approved the bill
- August 20, 2025: Passed in Lok Sabha (without debate)
- August 21, 2025: Passed in Rajya Sabha
- August 22, 2025: Received Presidential assent
- October 12, 2025: Draft rules published by MeitY
- As of March 2026: Rules not formally notified, Act not enforced, Supreme Court challenge ongoing
What Does PROGA Actually Ban?
PROGA classifies online games into three categories:
E-sports (permitted) – Competitive gaming recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. These can be played for money if registered with the National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC). However, the requirements for recognition are stringent.
Online social games (permitted) – Games that do not involve wagering real money. Subscription and advertising-based models are allowed.
Online money games (banned) – Any online game where players wager, deposit, or risk real money. This includes sports betting, fantasy sports with real-money prizes, online poker, online rummy, online casino games, and any other real-money gaming format. PROGA does not distinguish between games of skill and games of chance – all online money games are prohibited.
This last point is the most controversial. Before PROGA, Indian courts consistently held that skill games were not gambling. PROGA overrides this distinction entirely.
What Has Actually Changed for Bettors?
Despite the sweeping language, the practical impact of PROGA on offshore betting has been limited so far:
Domestic real-money gaming platforms have been severely affected. Dream11, MPL, PokerBaazi, and other Indian platforms have suspended or significantly scaled down operations. This has resulted in job losses, investor uncertainty, and a projected industry contraction from $3.7 billion.
Offshore sportsbooks continue operating. International betting sites licensed in Curaçao, Malta, the UK, and other jurisdictions remain accessible to Indian players. PROGA claims extraterritorial jurisdiction, but enforcement against foreign operators has proven difficult in practice.
No individual bettors have been prosecuted. PROGA’s enforcement provisions target operators, not players. The Act provides for fines up to ₹1 crore and imprisonment up to 3 years for operating unlicensed platforms, but no penalties have been applied to individual bettors using offshore sites.
Payment networks have not been significantly disrupted. UPI, Google Pay, PhonePe, and cryptocurrency transfers to offshore sportsbooks continue to function. Some domestic payment processors have become more cautious, but most transactions continue to process normally.
ISP blocking has increased marginally. Some ISPs have blocked additional offshore betting sites following PROGA, but many platforms remain accessible, and accessibility varies by ISP and region.
The Supreme Court Challenge
PROGA faces constitutional challenges that could significantly alter or overturn the law:
Multiple petitions have been filed before the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi High Courts. In September 2025, the Supreme Court transferred all pending and future challenges to itself.
The main constitutional arguments are:
Article 19(1)(g) – PROGA violates the fundamental right to practise any profession or carry on any trade or business. The Supreme Court and multiple High Courts have previously held that skill-based gaming is a legitimate commercial activity protected under this article.
Article 14 – PROGA treats games of skill and games of chance identically, which critics argue lacks a rational basis and violates the right to equality.
Federalism – “Betting and gambling” is a State subject under Entry 34 of the State List. Critics argue the central government has overstepped its legislative authority by enacting a law that overrides state-level gambling regulation.
As of March 2026, the Supreme Court has not delivered a ruling. The government has been directed to respond to the petitions. Legal experts widely consider that a complete ban on skill-based gaming is unlikely to survive constitutional scrutiny, but the timeline for a final ruling remains uncertain.
How PROGA Affects Different Types of Betting
Sports betting at offshore sportsbooks – Practically unchanged. Offshore sportsbooks continue to accept Indian players, and no enforcement action has been taken against individual bettors.
Fantasy sports (Dream11, MPL) – Severely impacted. Most domestic fantasy sports platforms have suspended real-money operations pending the Supreme Court ruling.
Online poker and rummy – Severely impacted domestically. Indian poker and rummy platforms have been forced to pause or scale down.
Online casinos – Offshore casinos remain accessible. No enforcement against individual players.
Horse racing betting – Unaffected. Horse racing was classified as a game of skill by the Supreme Court in 1996 and is widely considered to fall outside PROGA’s scope.
Physical casinos – Unaffected. Land-based casinos in Goa, Sikkim, and Daman continue to operate under their existing state-level licences.
What Should Indian Bettors Do?
Continue using licensed, reputable offshore platforms. The sportsbooks and casinos recommended on StrikeOdds hold valid licences from recognised jurisdictions and have been tested for reliability. No individual bettor has been prosecuted for using these platforms.
Stay informed. The Supreme Court ruling on PROGA could come at any time and may significantly change the legal landscape. We will update this page and our homepage when any major development occurs.
Keep records. Maintain logs of your deposits, withdrawals, and betting activity for tax purposes. Gambling winnings are taxable at 30% regardless of the legal status of the gambling itself.
Check accessibility. Some sportsbooks may be blocked by your ISP. Always verify that you can access a site before registering and depositing. If a site is blocked, do not attempt to circumvent the block through VPNs or other tools without understanding the legal implications.
Gamble responsibly. Legal uncertainty does not change the fundamentals of responsible gambling. Set deposit limits, never bet more than you can afford to lose, and seek help if gambling is affecting your wellbeing. See our Responsible Gambling guide.
FAQs
Is PROGA 2025 currently enforced?
The Act has received Presidential assent but its rules have not been formally notified and it has not been enforced against individual bettors. Domestic real-money gaming platforms have proactively suspended operations. Offshore sportsbooks continue operating.
Does PROGA ban sports betting?
Yes, PROGA bans all “online money games” which includes sports betting. However, the ban has not been enforced against individual bettors using offshore platforms, and the law faces a Supreme Court constitutional challenge.
Does PROGA affect offshore betting sites?
PROGA claims extraterritorial jurisdiction over offshore platforms, but enforcement against foreign operators has proven difficult. Licensed offshore sportsbooks continue to accept Indian players.
Will PROGA be overturned?
The Supreme Court is considering constitutional challenges to PROGA. Many legal experts consider the blanket ban on skill games unlikely to survive scrutiny, but the timeline for a ruling is uncertain.
Can I still bet on the IPL after PROGA?
Millions of Indians continue to bet on the IPL through licensed offshore sportsbooks. No individual has been prosecuted for IPL betting at an offshore platform.
Does PROGA ban horse racing betting?
Horse racing was classified as a game of skill by the Supreme Court in 1996 and is widely considered to fall outside PROGA’s scope. Horse racing betting remains legal.