Flutter Entertainment has become the latest company to announce it has withdrawn all real-money games in India, after the country passed the controversial Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, last week.
The law, which was approved in both the upper house and the Indian parliament before receiving presidential ascent, sent shockwaves through the booming gaming industry and products like daily fantasy sports (DFS), poker and rummy.
Language in the bill accused these games of being addictive, while it also suggested “manipulative design features” could lead to “financial ruin”. ‘addictive’ in quotes?
The knock-on effect has been all the major operators offering DFS, poker and rummy, which are classed as skill games in India, pulling their real-money options with immediate effect.
Flutter owns Junglee Games, the studio behind Junglee Rummy, Junglee Poker and DFS platform Howzat. Messages on all three sites warn that cash games and tournaments have been discontinued.
Players are informed that they can still play practice games and withdraw funds. PokerStars India, which is also owned by Flutter, has closed its real-money cash tables and tournaments.
Announcing the decision yesterday, 25 August, Flutter bemoaned the “sudden regulatory developments” in India and the fact the bill passed in “an exceptionally short timeframe”.
The legislation was introduced in parliament on 20 August and was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu two days later.
Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO, said in a statement: “I am extremely disappointed with the sudden changes to the regulatory landscape in India.
“Over the last four years, Junglee has invested significantly in its local market, building a workforce of over 1,100 employees to deliver innovative skill-based gaming products to Indian customers.”
Jackson continued: “We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy.
“We believe in regulatory frameworks that put customers first, and are evaluating options to restore skill-based games in the Indian market”
Flutter said its Indian operations were projected to contribute around $200m ($148m) in revenue and $50m in adjusted EBITDA in 2025. Around half of its profits were expected to be achieved in the second half of the year.
Management also said it was weighing up the accounting implications “including any non-cash impairments to the Junglee business” and will provide any additional disclosures as conclusions are made.
Flutter has held a majority position in Junglee Games since 2021, when the New York-listed operator shelled out $66.2m for a 50.1% stake in the games studio.
The ban on real-money games in India now threatens the survival of skill games platforms, including wildly popular DFS cricket apps like Dream 11, MPL and My11Circle.
Leading operator Dream11, which was previously valued at $8bn, is displayed across the India national cricket team’s shirts, yet this reported $44m deal has been thrown into doubt following the ban.
According to India Gaming Report 2025, the Indian market – including all forms digital gaming – is an industry worth $3.7bn
It is a sector that is forecast to hit $9.1bn by 2029, though the report was published before the passing of Regulation of Online Gaming Bill.
The post Flutter “extremely disappointed” at having to axe real-money games in India first appeared on EGR Intel.
Parent firm of Junglee Games hits out at lack of industry consultation over the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, arguing the ban drives players to the black market
The post Flutter “extremely disappointed” at having to axe real-money games in India first appeared on EGR Intel.