Online Gaming Bill 2025: Comprehensive Ban on Real-Money Gaming Threatens MPL’s Operations

The Online Gaming Bill 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha, poses a major challenge to the Mobile Premier League (MPL). The bill prohibits online games that involve monetary stakes, including fantasy sports, card games, and betting platforms. Since MPL allows users to pay entry fees and compete for cash rewards, the platform falls under the scope of this prohibition. The bill bans all forms of online betting and gambling. Fantasy sports may face a ban under the same provisions affecting other platforms. Arcade-style games may survive only if they remove cash rewards and transition to subscription-based models. The legislation also restricts advertisements promoting such games and bars banks from processing transactions related to these games. Penalties for violating the bill could include imprisonment and significant fines. MPL may need to revamp its business model to focus on esports and social gaming, which are permitted under the bill. These may continue, provided the company repositions itself away from financial wagering. The coming months will be critical for MPL as it evaluates its options.