Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Central Law Banning Real-Money Online Games on Nov 26
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre’s response on a group of petitions questioning the validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 — the country’s first central law that completely bans online games played for money. The matter will be heard on November 26.
A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan directed the Union government to file a detailed reply to the challenges raised.
Earlier, multiple petitions had been filed before the Delhi, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts, where online gaming companies and platforms questioned the law’s constitutionality. The cases were later transferred to the Supreme Court after the Centre requested consolidation to avoid conflicting rulings.
The Online Gaming Act, notified on August 22, makes it illegal to offer or play online games for stakes—irrespective of whether they are based on skill or chance. The law treats such offences as cognisable and non-bailable, marking a major policy shift in India’s approach to regulating online gaming.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20, cleared by both Houses within two days, and received Presidential assent soon after.
Before this central legislation, online gaming was mainly governed by State-level laws and court judgments distinguishing between games of skill and games of chance.
Several gaming operators, including Head Digital and other platforms, have argued that the law unfairly restricts fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and the right to practice any profession or trade.
On September 3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued notice to the Union government in one such petition. The Karnataka High Court also sought the Centre’s reply in a case filed by Head Digital, while an online carrom platform had moved the Delhi High Court with a similar plea.
The Central government then approached the Supreme Court seeking to transfer all related petitions to ensure a uniform decision on the matter. The apex court will now examine whether the sweeping ban on real-money online gaming is constitutionally valid.
