Latest news with #My11Circle
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Online Gaming Bill 2025: BCCI secy Saikia weighs in on new bill - 'We will only do what's allowed under Indian law'
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia MUMBAI: Ever since the government has introduced its new online gaming bill, specifically the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025', there are fears that India's cricket industry's revenue could be badly hit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India , especially, has reason to be worried as two prominent gaming companies - Dream11 and My11Circle are its key sponsors. While Dream11 is the title sponsor of Team India, My11Circle holds the fantasy gaming rights for the IPL for the next three years. The BCCI , however, has made it abundantly clear that it will abide by the law of the land. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "The act has just been discussed in the Lok Sabha today and the Rajya Sabha yesterday. It would then take a final shape, go through Presidential assent, and then there will be a 'date of appointment.' We will then read it, and then only we will take a call on whatever is there. The BCCI will not do anything which is not permitted by the government or by any law of the country. The BCCI will not violate any of the laws enforced in the country. That's very clear," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday. Poll How do you feel about India participating in the Asia Cup despite political tensions? It's a good decision for sports It's inappropriate given the situation I have mixed feelings Explaining the BCCI's future course of action, Saikia said, "Once the act comes into force, we will look into it, examine it and if it's permissible, then we will take sponsorship (from online betting and gaming companies), if it's not permissible, we'll not do anything. Take the example of cigarettes and liquor. Has the BCCI taken any sponsorship from the cigarettes and liquor companies once taking sponsorship from these kinds of companies was banned? So, whatever is permissible in the laws in force in our country, we will do that only. " "The BCCI will follow every policy of the country which is framed by the central government," asserted the BCCI secretary. 'Govt policy will put to rest all campaigns against India's participation in Asia Cup' The BCCI has "welcomed" the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports coming out with a policy (guidelines) on Thursday which declared that India and Pakistan will not have any bilateral sporting ties even on neutral venues as per an unprecedented new policy but the cricket team won't be stopped from playing the Asia Cup next month as it is a multilateral engagement. The policy will enable Team India to compete in the T20 Asia Cup in UAE next month, despite the growing clamour for boycott and withdrawal from the tournament. India are supposed to play Pakistan at least twice in the tournament - on Sept 14 in the league stage and on Sept 21, in the Super Four stage. India will not host or visit pakistan for bilateral contests, but their athletes and teams can take part in multi-nation events that also involve Pakistan, clearing the path for their upcoming fixtures in the men's Asia Cup in September and the women's ODI World Cup in October (India will play Pakistan in Colombo on Oct 5). Pakistan's sportspersons can also participate in multilateral events hosted by India, but it's not clear if India's athletes can go to Pakistan for similar sporting events. "Today, the central government has come out with a policy on international sporting events. We welcome this. This will put to rest all the campaigns against India participating in the Asia Cup. The BCCI is doing this (participating in the Asia Cup) as per the central government's policy. The central government has taken the interest of the players, the teams and also, the events that are going to be hosted by our country in the future. So, all these things are very nicely taken by the government of India and we fully endorse the view expressed by the central government and we will 100% abide by the policy framed by the central government," Saikia told this paper. "The BCCI will not go a single inch against the government's policy. We will fully abide by all policies of the central government, whether it is participating in an international sporting event or regarding sponsorship. We will follow everything in true letter and spirit," the Indian Board secretary asserted before signing off. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
13 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
India Gaming Law Passed In LS: Promotion/Endorsement May Land You In Jail
Lok Sabha passes Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Check who can be punished and for what jail terms and fines. The Lok Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, to effect a blanket and hard-hitting crackdown on online real money-based games in India. The government said it aims to curb addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud through such games in the country. The bill still needs to be passed by the Rajya Sabha, but if it goes as smoothly as in the lower house — via a voice note as the opposition protested on another subject — there could be wide-ranging impacts on individuals and organisations involved in the gaming ecosystem. Before we discuss the punishments mentioned in the draft, it needs to be noted that amid this whip on the online gaming platforms, the centre said it's trying to promote and develop e-sports in the country, which should protect non-gambling games. An authority is being set up to oversee e-sports, educational games, social games, and real money gaming, and all organisations will fall under its regulations. The bill outlaws all online betting and gambling activities — from online fantasy sports like Dream11 and My11Circle to online gambling like Poker, Rummy and other Card games and online lotteries, irrespective of whether they are considered 'skill' or luck-based. Punishments for Platforms & Individuals under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 Hence, anyone offering or running online real money games will face the following punishments: Promoting/Endorsing such Platforms The bill also hits hard on influencers and celebrities, banning them from promoting such games. In the past few years, several national cricketers, coaches, and even board members have been seen featuring in television ads. If this bill is passed, doing so after that will bring punishments of: Moreover, financial institutions like banks are also prohibited from offering services as simple as processing transactions on such platforms. Under the bill, authorised officials have been given the power to search and arrest without a warrant if someone is 'reasonably' suspected of committing offences under this Act. This applies to any place, including: physical premises/buildings, vehicles, computer resources, virtual digital spaces, electronic records/devices (with authority to override security codes). Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 21, 2025, 19:06 IST News sports India Gaming Law Passed In LS: Promotion/Endorsement May Land You In Jail Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
India.com
13 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Dream11, MPL, My11Circle to be banned? Cricket market worth Rs 983,000,000 will now be..., IPL's earning may now get...
IPL Trophy 2025 Online Gaming Regulation Bill: In a significant development on Thursday, the Union Parliament passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill-2023 which seeks to regulate real-money online gaming. As per media reports, the bill could directly impact cricket sponsorships and fantasy sports platforms. While the bill is being welcomed as a step toward curbing illegal betting and protecting consumers, many media reports quote experts as saying that it may disrupt cricket's financial ecosystem, where companies like Dream11 and My11Circle are major sponsors. How big is India's online gaming industry? Notably, Dream11 is the the Indian cricket team's title sponsor (≈$44 million about Rs 358 crores), and My11Circle, the IPL's official fantasy gaming partner (Rs 625 crore for five years). Here are all the details you need to know about why the government is bringing the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill-2023. The decision of the government is expected to impact the massive online cricket business of Rs 983,000,000. What Union Minister said on Online gaming in India? 'Online gaming is an important sector of Digital Bharat. There are three segments of online games — e-Sports (training-based, often played between teams); Online Social Games (fun, educational, community-based), and Online Money Games (involve financial stakes, addictive, and harmful,' Railways and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a series of posts on social media platform X about the 'Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill-2023'. Story highlights: The Rajya Sabha has passes the Online Gaming Regulation Bill. The Bill seeks to regulate real-money online gaming in India. It might affect the massive online cricket business of Rs 983,000,000. Notably, Dream11 is the the Indian cricket team's title sponsor. Why government choose society's welfare over revenue? 'There are thousands of complaints and grievances from across the country. The government chooses the safety of families over any other interests. When it comes to choosing between society's welfare and government revenue, PM Narendra Modi has always chosen middle-class families,' Vaishnaw added on the bill. Add as a Preferred Source (With inputs from agencies)
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Dream11, MPL, other fantasy apps face uncertain future as Online Gaming Bill clears Parliament
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday cleared the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, outlawing money-based fantasy apps, poker, rummy and other games, dealing a heavy blow to India's $3.8 billion gaming industry. Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 prohibits 'harmful' real-money gaming services, along with related advertisements and financial transactions, with the government citing risks of psychological distress and financial loss. (Pic for representational purpose only) The bill prohibits 'harmful' real-money gaming services, along with related advertisements and financial transactions, with the government citing risks of psychological distress and financial loss. While it is not immediately clear which apps will be directly impacted, the move poses a threat to India's gaming industry, one that has attracted global investors and nurtured homegrown fantasy platforms such as Dream11, Games24x7 and Mobile Premier League, Bloomberg reported. The Online Gaming Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday without a debate as Opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission. An online money game is one in which a user deposits money in the expectation of winning monetary and other enrichment. Endorsements by top cricketers and film stars have incited interest in real money gaming apps such as fantasy sports betting games offered by Dream11, Games24X7, and Mobile Premier League. There is a realisation that online gaming has become a major problem for society, PTI quoted a senior official as saying, adding that the government has decided to keep the welfare of people above revenue loss from its ban. Indian apps which are expected to be impacted by Online Gaming Bill 2025 Dream11: Dream11 commands a valuation of $8 billion. In fantasy cricket games on Dream11, users create their teams by paying as little as ₹8 (10 US cents), with a total prize pool of 1.2 million Indian rupees ($14,000). The app becomes more popular during the Indian Premier League season. Mobile Premier League: MPL is valued at $2.5 billion, PitchBook data shows. Other apps likely to be impacted My11Circle Howzat SG11 Fantasy WinZO Games24x7 (parent of My11Circle and RummyCircle) Junglee Games (covers Rummy & Poker) PokerBaazi GamesKraft (also known as RummyCulture) Nazara Technologies (investor in PokerBaazi, though its direct RMG revenue is minimal) Bloomberg News reported that Dream11 and Mobile Premier League declined a request to comment. Why did government bring the bill? Union minister of electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told PTI that online money gaming has become a serious social and public health issue, with a proven significant negative impact on society. "Our endeavour is to promote eSports and social gaming, online social gaming, and we would like India to become a game-making hub. For that, a lot of efforts are already being made," he said. The minister said, so far, as digital technologies go, online gaming has emerged as a 'major secto' with three main segments. "Two segments, eSports and online social gaming, are good for society. We are promoting two out of three segments... These two will get legal recognition and they will be promoted. And this bill will create an authority which basically creates programs and schemes which promote eSports and online social gaming," Vaishnaw said. The third segment, online money gaming, is causing harm to the society, he said, adding that this has emerged as a major social and public health problem. There is a realisation that online gaming has become a major problem for society, PTI quoted a senior official as saying. The official added that the government has decided to keep the welfare of people above revenue loss from its ban. Is it punishable under the new law? Yes. With the nod from both houses of Parliament, offering or facilitating online money gaming will now be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore. The bill also seeks to prohibit advertisements related to online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from transferring funds for any of such games. Advertising of money games can attract imprisonment up to two years and/or fine up to ₹50 lakh. Facilitating financial transactions related to money games can lead to imprisonment up to three years and/or fine up to ₹1 crore. Repeat offences attract enhanced penalties, including 3-5 years' imprisonment and fines up to ₹2 crore. Offences under key sections are sought to be made cognizable and non-bailable. (With inputs from Reuters, Bloomberg and PTI)
India.com
18 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Online Gaming Bill 2025: Dream11, Winzo, My11Circle and THESE Apps may be banned but not BGMI, Real Cricket, Here's why
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to ban the operating, facilitating and advertising of online games played with money, with a view to checking rising instances of addiction, money laundering and financial fraud. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that online money gaming has become a serious social and public health issue, causing demonstrable negative impact on society. Once the legislation is passed by both Houses of Parliament, offering or facilitating online money gaming will be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. It is important to note that the bill also seeks to prohibit advertisement related to online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from transferring funds for any of such games. Advertising of money games can attract imprisonment up to two years and/or fine up to Rs 50 lakh. Facilitating financial transactions related to money games can lead to imprisonment up to three years and/or fine up to Rs 1 crore. However, not every online game is going to be affected by the bill. Here are some of the key details about the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 proposes that any person offering an online money gaming service in violation of the stipulated provisions will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine that may extend to Rs 1 crore, or both. Offences under key sections are sought to be made cognizable and non-bailable. Online money game is one played by a user by depositing money in expectation of winning monetary and other enrichment. The bill outlaws all online betting and gambling (satta and jua) activities — from online fantasy sports to online gambling (like Poker, Rummy and other Card games) and online lotteries. Dream11 and My11 Circle are all at risk as the bill proposes a blanket ban on games where users stake money to win cash prizes, regardless of whether they are based on skill or chance. The bill wants to set up a National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC) to oversee licensing, classify game types, enforce compliance, and promote e-sports. The government is distinguishing competitive e-sports from gambling-based platforms. E-sports is to be encouraged and regulated while the other is to be banned. According to news agency PTI, it acknowledges that formal recognition of e-sports will enable India to tune into the global competitive gaming landscape, spur innovation, create opportunities for the Indian start-up ecosystem, and make the country a global magnet for game development. Real Cricket, EA Sport FC, and Free Fire are the games falling under the former category while Dream11, My11 Circle, MPL, Winzo, GamesKraft, 99Games, and the like are likely to face consequences. Popular online mobile games like BGMI and Free Fire, which fall under the battle royale category, are not expected to be banned by the new bill. The revenue of battle royale games comes from cosmetic purchases (skins, patches, designs) and not real-money betting. According to reports, the new bill does not target cosmetic or in-game spending that is not tied to monetary gains. The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking for urgent intervention on the proposed bill. AIGF argued that if the bill is passed, crores of genuine gamers could be affected and would have to resort to illegal sites and gambling networks run by unregulated operators. Story Highlights: Dream11 and My11 Circle are all at risk as the bill proposes a blanket ban on games where users stake money to win cash prizes Cricket, EA Sport FC, and Free Fire are the games falling under the former category Dream11, My11 Circle, MPL, Winzo, GamesKraft, 99Games, and the like are likely to face consequences The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah NODWIN Gaming Co-Founder and MD Akshat Rathee said the government's intent to recognise and promote esports is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem. Add as a Preferred Source
