Zupee Stops Real Money Gaming, Will Continue To Offer Free To Play Games

A New Bill Aims to Protect Youth and Families, Sparking Major Industry Shift

NEW DELHI, August 22 – The landscape of online gaming in India is changing overnight. In a move that sent shockwaves through the industry, online gaming platform Zupee announced on Thursday that it is pulling the plug on its real money gaming offerings. The decision comes directly in the wake of the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill,’ a landmark piece of legislation that was passed by both Houses of Parliament this week.

For Zupee, a company that has built its reputation on skill-based, real money games, this marks a profound and emotional pivot. A company spokesperson confirmed the shift, assuring its millions of users that the platform is still very much alive. “Zupee remains fully operational,” the spokesperson stated, highlighting that their popular free-to-play titles like Ludo Supreme, Ludo Turbo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Card Mania will continue to be available. “We remain committed to delivering fun, engaging, and responsible gaming & entertainment experiences to our 150+ million users across India for free.”

The bill, which passed in the Rajya Sabha amidst protests and opposition sloganeering, represents a bold and definitive step by the government to address what it has called a “public health risk.” Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who moved the bill, outlined its three core components: E-sports, Online Social Gaming, and Online Money Gaming. While the first two categories will be promoted and encouraged, the third—Online Money Gaming—is set for a complete shutdown.

Speaking passionately in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Vaishnaw painted a stark picture of the social and economic devastation caused by online money games. “It gets addicted and the family’s savings are spent,” he lamented, detailing a crisis that he estimates has affected 45 crore people and led to the loss of over Rs 20,000 crore in savings. He referenced the World Health Organization’s classification of gaming disorder and described a cascade of negative consequences, including “psychological disorder, compulsive behaviour, violent behaviour.”

The minister’s remarks underscored a deep concern for the nation’s youth and middle class, many of whom, he says, have had their lives and families “destroyed” by this addiction. He even linked the issue to more sinister concerns, mentioning its potential for “money laundering” and its unfortunate connection to “terror activities.”

This new legislation doesn’t just regulate; it outright bans the offering, operating, or facilitating of online money games. This sweeping prohibition applies regardless of whether the games are based on skill, chance, or a combination of both. For companies like Zupee, which have long argued that their games are skill-based and therefore distinct from gambling, this new law leaves no room for debate.

While Zupee and other gaming platforms are forced to adapt, the government’s message is clear: they are prioritizing public welfare over a booming industry. The bill aims to create a nurturing environment for E-sports and online social games, which are seen as positive and skill-building activities, while cutting off the supply of what they view as a toxic and destructive form of entertainment.

The coming days and weeks will be crucial as other online gaming companies announce their own plans to comply with the new law. The era of real money gaming in India is over, but a new chapter for E-sports and social gaming has just begun. The question now is whether the industry can successfully transform itself and whether the government’s gamble on public health will pay off.