India’s Supreme Court demands government response to challenges against gaming ban

A hearing has been set for November 26 as industry contests the constitutionality of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act

India.- The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to submit a detailed response to multiple petitions filed by online gaming companies against India’s ban on online money games. The bench, led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, will take up the challenges against the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, again on November 26.

The act criminalises the offering, promotion, and advertisement of money-based games and prohibits banks and payment processors from handling related transactions. Senior advocate C.A. Sundaram, representing Head Digital Works and other operators, told the court that legitimate businesses had been “shut for more than a month” due to the law

The petitions argue that the legislation’s conflation of games of skill and chance contravenes established Supreme Court precedent on gaming and trade freedoms under Articles 14 and 19 of the Indian Constitution. It’s also argued that the ban is driving players to offshore or unregulated markets.

The court also issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a nationwide ban on online gambling disguised as social or e-sports platforms. The plea, filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), alleges that over 2,000 apps are operating in violation of existing laws, posing risks of addiction and financial harm to young users.

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A hearing has been set for November 26 as industry contests the constitutionality of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act India.- The Supreme Court has directed the Union…