Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com and a prominent voice in the startup ecosystem, has sparked a fresh debate with his candid social media post criticizing the Indian government’s recent ban on real-money gaming (RMG). Drawing parallels with past regulatory actions, Mittal questioned the logic behind banning an entire sector due to concerns about addiction and financial loss.
In his post, Mittal pointed out that while the government banned gutka decades ago, chewing tobacco persists. Similarly, India’s crackdown on real-money gaming—which includes fantasy sports, poker, and betting platforms—has effectively crushed a booming industry that generated significant economic value. According to him, the sector contributed approximately ₹27,000 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST) annually, over ₹10,000 crore in advertising revenue, and provided thousands of legitimate livelihoods through games of skill.
Check out Anupam Mittal’s post on Linkedin:
The Government’s Rationale and Recent Moves
The ban was introduced via the Online Gaming Bill 2025, which aims to curb addiction, financial fraud, and illegal betting often linked to real-money gaming platforms. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the legislation, stating it is necessary to tackle misuse of such platforms for money laundering, terror financing, and to protect vulnerable groups like youth from addiction and debt. He underscored the government’s priority on “security and sovereignty” and noted the bill’s criminal penalties, including up to three years Do We Ban Alcohol Because Some Become Alcoholics?imprisonment and heavy fines for violations.
Check out: Dream11 to Shut Down Real-Money Gaming Business Amid New Online Gaming Bill
Economic Impact and Industry Fallout
Mittal warned that blanket bans typically produce unintended consequences: government revenue depletes, users lose consumer protections, and illegal black markets flourish. Estimates suggest India’s unregulated gaming black market is worth a staggering ₹8.3 lakh crore, dwarfing official figures.
Real-money gaming companies are already feeling the impact—Dream11, India’s biggest fantasy sports platform, has announced the shutdown of its RMG operations following the bill’s passage. This provides a clear example of immediate disruption and potential job losses in the sector.
The Moral Policing vs. Policy Debate
Mittal described the government’s ban as “moral policing dressed up as policy,” expressing hope that India avoids the pitfalls seen in more restrictive markets like China. He questioned whether other risky but regulated sectors—such as alcohol or stock trading—should face outright bans because some individuals misuse them.
While acknowledging the fairness of the government’s concerns about addiction and financial harm, Mittal urged a more nuanced approach that balances protection with economic growth and innovation, allowing India’s real-money gaming and esports industries to mature into global leaders.
Check out: Rajya Sabha passes Online Gaming Bill 2025
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