Online Gaming Ban Triggers Payout Delays, Panic

Online gamers across India are facing panic and confusion following Parliament’s passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all forms of paid online games including fantasy sports, rummy, and poker. The sweeping move has triggered widespread withdrawal requests, with many users reporting delays and glitches.

Several players said their withdrawal attempts failed, with error messages popping up during transactions. The issue appears widespread across multiple platforms. Industry insiders attributed the disruptions to a surge in simultaneous withdrawal requests, though most companies claim the glitches have since stabilized.

Gaming firms have rushed to reassure users about fund safety. PokerBaazi, operated by Nazara-backed Moonshine Technologies, stated that all funds remain secure and accessible for withdrawal. Games24x7, which runs fantasy platform My11Circle, issued a similar assurance, saying players could “seamlessly withdraw any balance.”

Clarity has also emerged on what users can withdraw. Industry sources explained that players will be able to access their winning balances and unused deposits, subject to deductions such as TDS and previously applied discounts.

Meanwhile, leading firms have suspended money-based games. WinZo announced the withdrawal of its paid offerings effective August 22, 2025, while MPL declared an immediate halt to all money games on its platform. Dream11 has also confirmed a complete shutdown of operations.

The ban has rattled the multi-billion-dollar real-money gaming sector, forcing platforms to pause deposits and pivot towards social and esports-based gaming. Companies like Gameskraft, Dream11, Zupee, Probo, and MPL are exploring legal options, with experts noting ambiguities in the Bill’s definitions that could be contested in court.

With strict penalties for operators, advertisers, and promoters, the law has cast a wide net. While investor confidence is expected to dip in the short term, the industry may now be reshaped around skill-based and non-monetary gaming models.