Leading Indian tech YouTuber and entrepreneur Arun Prabhudesai—the force behind the multilingual TrakinTech brand (Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu)—has publicly supported India’s new ban on online real-money gaming. The TrakinTech channels collectively boast about 20 million subscribers on YouTube.
On 20 August 2025, India’s Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 110 of 2025). A day later, on 21 August 2025, the Rajya Sabha (the upper house) approved the same bill. The bill received the President’s assent on 22 August 2025, officially becoming the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
Key Provisions of the Act
- Blanket ban on all online games involving real-money, whether games of chance, skill, or a hybrid—and this includes promotion, advertisement, payment processing, and facilitation.
- Penalties: Offenders may face up to three years in prison and/or ₹1 crore in fines; repeat violations can mean up to five years in jail and ₹2 crore in fines.
- Advertising violators: Up to two years in prison and/or ₹50 lakh in fines.
- Establishment of a regulatory body, an Online Gaming Authority (or National Online Gaming Commission), to oversee licensing, classification, grievance redress, and enforcement.
- Promotion of e-sports and safe social/educational games, with government support for training, standards, awareness, and other infrastructure.
Industry Fallout
Several major platforms, including Dream11 and Mobile Premier League (MPL), suspended their real-money gaming features immediately after the bill’s passage. Dream11, which generated over 90% of its revenue from paid contests, paused all paid functionality.
The stock prices of public gaming companies plummeted, with Nazara Tech dropping roughly 11% and Delta Corp falling around 5% over two days.
MPL announced plans to lay off approximately 60% of its India-based staff—around 300 employees—directly attributing the downturn to the ban.
Legal Pushback
Gaming platform A23 filed the first legal challenge against the law in the Karnataka High Court, alleging that the Act criminalizes legitimate skill-based games and is unconstitutional. Dream11 and MPL have held off but are reportedly preparing for possible legal recourse.
Government’s Justification
During parliamentary debate, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked that online money gaming has become a “public health menace”, causing significant financial distress—citing that up to ₹20,000 crore was lost to such gaming annually. He stressed the urgency of curbing addiction and protecting vulnerable populations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the bill’s passage, stating that it reflects India’s commitment to promoting e-sports and protecting society from the harmful effects of online money games, projecting a broader vision of India as a hub for gaming, innovation, and creativity.
TrakinTech Podcast—Arun’s Perspective
In a recent TrakinTech podcast, Arun—joined by colleagues Ershad (English & Tamil channels) and Sajid—expressed strong support for the law:
“I personally know people who have bankrupted themselves and their families because of this. Whether you call it a fantasy league or a game of skill, the system is designed to make money for the gaming company—that’s why they were in the business in the first place.”
Ershad raised a comparison with Las Vegas or Macau, where gambling is legal:
Arun clarified that at those venues, one must physically travel and verify age (18+/21+), adding natural barriers. By contrast, real-money online gaming is easily accessible—just a few taps away.
He further highlighted underage usage, where teens bypass parental controls using parents’ payment methods (UPI, debit/credit cards) to play, often without consent or awareness. His co-hosts agreed, underscoring how effortless and dangerous online real-money gaming has become.
Public Voices
Various public figures also backed the legislation:
- Vishal Gondal (founder of GOQii and gaming entrepreneur)
- Animesh Agarwal (founder of S8UL)
- Akshat Rathee (Co-founder & Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming)
Social Commentary
Although news of the bill largely surfaced post-enactment, public sentiment was broadly supportive. Opponents often cite “let adults spend their own money,” but critics argue that addiction compromises individual autonomy, making regulation necessary.
The Act specifically addresses concerns around celebrity and influencer endorsements, which are seen as significant contributors to youth addiction—a targeted curbing of such promotional influence is built into the law.
