MPL Stops All Cash Games in India

Mobile Premier League (MPL), a leading online gaming platform, announced the immediate suspension of all real-money gaming offerings in India following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, by the Indian Parliament on August 21, 2025. The bill, approved by the Rajya Sabha without debate amid uproar, bans all forms of online money games while promoting eSports and social gaming, signaling a major shift in India’s digital gaming landscape.

MPL, which boasts over 120 million registered users across Asia, Europe, and North America, stated on LinkedIn that it respects the rule of law and will fully comply with the new regulations. “Effective immediately, we are suspending all gaming offerings involving money on the MPL platform in India,” the company declared. While new deposits are halted, MPL assured users they can seamlessly withdraw existing balances, though real-money games are no longer available.

The decision follows intense scrutiny of online money games, which critics argue promote gambling and financial risk. The new law aims to regulate the booming gaming industry, prioritizing non-monetary eSports and social platforms. Another major gaming platform, Zupee, also announced the discontinuation of its paid games, reflecting the industry-wide impact of the legislation.

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The ban has sparked mixed reactions. Some users expressed frustration on X, lamenting the loss of popular real-money games, while others praised the move for curbing potential addiction. “This protects vulnerable players, but kills a fun industry,” tweeted a Delhi-based gamer. MPL emphasized its commitment to users, promising to pivot toward compliant gaming formats like eSports to maintain its presence in India.

Industry experts predict significant economic ripple effects, as real-money gaming contributed millions to India’s digital economy. With the ban reshaping the sector, companies like MPL face the challenge of adapting to a new regulatory landscape while retaining their massive user base.

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