In August 2025, the Government of India made a decisive move by fully prohibiting all forms of gambling and betting activities within the country. The act named Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, differentiated 2 major classification of games: 1. Permissible online games of skill, such as esports and fantasy sports and 2. Prohibited online games of chance, including those involving betting or wagering with money. This nationwide act came into force in October 1 2025 and includes online and offline gambling platforms involving money, such as casinos, sports betting, poker, bingo, and other chance-based games.

The decision marks a turning point for India’s rapidly growing gambling sector, which had experienced significant expansion in recent years - overgrowing due to the increasing use of smartphones, and high internet connectivity has made online gambling more accessible to many people in India.  It was considered fastest growing regional market in Asia pacific, for 2030 nationwide projected revenue of market was 10.78 billion USD (to compare same number for 2023 was 4.43 billion USD) and it has very steady growth rate 13,7 % from 2018. Biggest and fastest growing segment was sports betting, with a revenue share of 57.4 % in 2024. But according the new regulations, any individual or company found participating in or facilitating gambling activities faces strict penalties, including heavy fines and possible imprisonment.

Although the Indian Government officially justified the gambling ban as a response to social and economic risks, many experts argue that the decision was more reactionary than strategic. The government cited increasing cases of fraud, addiction, and financial crimes among citizens, particularly young people, as the main reasons for enforcement. However, these issues largely resulted from a weak legal framework and the absence of proper regulation in the online gaming sector. Instead of strengthening oversight and introducing modern compliance standards, the authorities chose to impose a total ban — a move widely criticized as excessive and economically harmful.

The industry’s reaction to the ban was immediate and significant. Many domestic gaming companies attempted to adapt by shifting their business models toward non-monetary or entertainment-based formats in order to survive under the new restrictions. However, several major international operators: Betway, Bet365, Parimatch, Flutter Entertainment PLC, decided to withdraw completely from the Indian market. Taking into account that these companies are all major multinational corporations, the negative impact of India’s draconian regulatory decision can also be observed on a global economic scale.

Looking at the situation inside the country, it didn’t take long after the complete ban for the consequences to appear. The internet quickly filled with reports from credible sources indicating that more than 6,500 jobs had been lost, but estimates suggest it could result in over 200,000 job losses, from both sides – people directly involved and individuals from adjacent industries, while around 450 million players were pushed into underground platforms. This shift not only meant a significant loss of tax revenue for the government but also created even greater risks for users. Without access to legal, age-verified, and responsible gambling platforms, players were stripped of the very protections that policymakers had claimed to provide and strengthen for society.

To evaluate the situation from the perspective of Georgia’s market, our country remains a regional leader in online gambling, and there are nearly 20,000 Indian migrants living in Georgia (and their population is growing) — mostly students and service-sector employees. It’s possible that some of them could use Georgian platforms, especially since non-Georgian citizens are legally allowed to use gambling services from the age of 18. While this might lead to a slight increase in activity within the local industry, the overall impact is expected to be minimal. Still, this case highlights how one country’s restrictive decision can indirectly influence markets far beyond its borders, even if the effects are relatively small.

 

 

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