Online Gaming Bill: Probo shuts down real money gaming biz; Zupee halts paid titles

Opinion trading platform Probo announced that it will shut down its real-money gaming operations on Thursday, whereas Gurugram-based gaming startup Zupee continues its services, except for paid games which have been discontinued. The announcement came as the bill banning such services was approved by the Rajya Sabha.

"As unfortunate as it is, we respect the government of India's latest online gaming bill. In light of this development, Probo has decided to discontinue its real-money gaming (RMG) operations with immediate effect until further notice. We remain steadfast in our vision to innovate and build information markets from India for the world," the company said.

In a separate statement, the company echoed the wider industry sentiment that a blanket ban on all real money games could unintentionally limit the sector’s potential and stifle innovation.


Zupee drops paid titles

Matrix Partners-backed online real-money gaming startup Zupee said the platform remains fully operational, except for the paid games being discontinued in compliance with the Online Gaming Bill 2025.

“In line with the new Online Gaming Bill 2025, we are discontinuing paid games, but our free titles like Ludo Supreme, Ludo Turbo, Snakes & Ladders, and Trump Card Mania will continue to be available for all users for free,” the company said.

Online Gaming Bill clears Rajya Sabha test

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote on Thursday, a day after it was approved by the Lok Sabha, despite the opposition's protests. The bill will now be sent to the President for assent.

The bill aims to regulate and promote e-sports and online social gaming in India, and ban online money games to curb economic and sovereign threats from such platforms. It proposes penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines of Rs 1 crore for offenders.

The Bill has riled the sunrise sector, which employs an estimated two lakh people and pays Rs 20,000 crore in tax to the exchequer. The $2 billion the industry spends on advertising and marketing is also expected to vanish if a blanket ban on online money gaming comes into effect.

The government has assured that online gaming will flourish under the proposed law, and it will only curb the harmful real money gaming. Meanwhile, gaming industry executives are planning to challenge the bill in a court of law.

Probo's past troubles

Probo came under the lens of Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July over allegations of illegal gambling and money laundering. The financial probe agency searched four premises linked to the company in Gurugram and other parts of Haryana . Authorities have frozen investments in fixed deposits and shares amounting to Rs 284.5 crore, and the contents of three bank lockers.