Supreme Court Takes Charge of Online Gaming Act Challenges
In a big move today, the Supreme Court of India has pulled all major challenges against the new Online Gaming Act, 2025, right into its own court. Petitions that were hanging around in different High Courts are now getting transferred to the top court to keep things simple and avoid a mess of overlapping cases.
The Online Gaming Act, 2025, which just got the green light from Parliament, puts a full stop on real-money games across the country. But it gives a thumbs up to social, educational, and esports games, aiming to regulate the online gaming world better. This law is all about curbing the risks of online money gaming while boosting safer alternatives.
A bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan greenlit the government’s request to shift these cases from the Delhi High Court, Karnataka High Court, and Madhya Pradesh High Court. "We’re transferring all proceedings from these High Courts to the Supreme Court," the bench ordered. They also told the High Courts to send over the complete records, including any side applications, within just one week. Once everything arrives, the court will list the matter for a quick hearing.
The bench even added that if anyone wants to file a fresh writ petition with all the details, they can do so directly with the registry. This step comes after Chief Justice B.R. Gavai agreed last week to fast-track the government’s transfer plea. Why the urgency? A case in the Karnataka High Court was about to get interim orders, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court had already asked the Centre to explain why the act’s blanket ban on online money games – including skill-based ones recognized by courts – doesn’t violate fundamental rights.
Other courts have been buzzing too. The Karnataka High Court recently demanded a response from the government on a petition by Head Digital, and an online carrom platform has approached the Delhi High Court to fight the law.
How the Online Gaming Act Came About
This all kicked off during the recent Monsoon Session of Parliament. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tabled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. It zipped through both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha super fast – the lower house cleared it in just seven minutes, and the upper house in 26. President gave it the final nod, turning it into the Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The law hits hard on violators. Companies offering real-money online gaming services could face fines up to Rs 1 crore and up to three years in jail. Even promoting or advertising these platforms can land you a Rs 50 lakh fine and two years behind bars.
What It Means for Popular Gaming Apps
Right after the act passed, big names in online money gaming like Dream11, Pokerbazi, Rummy Circle, and others shut down their cash-based contests. No more real-money games on these platforms in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the bill as a shield for society against the dark side of online money games. "This will protect our people from the harms of addictive real-money gaming," he said after Parliament approved it.
With the Supreme Court now stepping in, all eyes are on how it will handle these challenges to the Online Gaming Act, 2025. Could this reshape the future of online gaming in India? Stay tuned as the top court dives deeper.
