New Delhi: The Union Cabinet recently passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, clamping down on exploitative gambling apps that encourage compulsive behaviour among the youth and vulnerable sections of the society. The bill bans what are termed as online money games, that are better known as real money games (RMG), while encouraging e-sports, social games and videogames. Now, the media has widely reported on the videogaming industry protesting the move, when the developers of actual videogames actually support the regulations, so it is necessary to clearly differentiate the types of apps and what ‘industry’ they belong to.
Not videogames in Blue, videogames in Yellow. (Image Credit: Aditya Madanapalle).
The bill considers all apps where users pay to participate in games with a chance of winning money in return as online money games. The makers of games such as poker, rummy and fantasy sports leagues are making a big fuss about how their games depend on skill, and are totally different from gambling apps such as roulette or slots. These are cookie-cutter games with little to offer in terms of novel rules or gameplay mechanics, with dark patterns and excessive monetisation encouraging unhealthy behaviour. This e-gaming industry constantly attempts to legitimise itself through misrepresentation, when they do not make videogames at all.
The developers and publishers of actual videogames have united to support the Online Gaming Bill and drive industry growth
The makers of these skill-based games often sponsor events, and have formed industry bodies to advocate for policy decisions, bullying out the makers of real, authentic videogames who have formed their own industry body now. The Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA) has been formed to support the creation of original, Made-in-India IOP, bringing Indian stories into videogaming, and building the skills necessary across the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector.
The founding members of the IGPDA are Nazara Technologies, Gametion, nCore Games, Reliance Games, SuperGaming, Tara Gaming, underDOGS Studio, Aeos Games and Dot9 Games. The formation of the IGPDA follows the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), a Centre of Excellence backed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Government of Maharashtra, FICCI and CII, envisioned as a Lighthouse Institute for the AVGC-XR ecosystem.
The Actual Videogaming industry supports the Online Gaming Bill
While the news feeds may be stuffed with stories on illogical moral policing by the government, calling the bill a bad move that decimates a fledgling industry, the developers and publishers of authentic, original videogames are in support of the regulations. These stories fail to establish a distinction between the self-proclaimed e-gaming industry and the real videogaming industry that makes authentic titles. Vishal Gondal, Founder and Chairman of nCore Games says, “For the first time, India’s developers and publishers have a unified voice. With the IGPDA, we can chart a future where Indian studios build iconic IP that competes globally. This is about more than games — it’s about creating a cultural legacy for India.”
Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies says, “Nazara’s vision has always been anchored on IP-led growth. The IGPDA aligns perfectly with this mission, ensuring Indian creativity thrives globally and creates sustainable long-term value.” Amit Khanduja, CEO of Reliance Games adds, “Reliance Games has created globally successful franchises such as WWE Mayhem and American Dad! Apocalypse Soon for international audiences, while also building iconic Indian IPs like Little Singham that resonate deeply with Indian audiences. With the launch of IGPDA, we are committed to advancing the Make in India, for the World vision by producing original AAA games that bring Indian creativity and stories to global audiences.”
Roby John, Co-founder and CEO of SuperGaming says, “With Indus Battle Royale, we’ve proven Indian-made games can carry our culture and identity while appealing worldwide at scale. The IGPDA ensures Indian games take centre stage in the global gaming narrative.”
Vikash Jaiswal, Founder and CEO of Gametion says, “The success of Ludo King proves Indian games can reach the world. Through IGPDA, we aim to replicate that success across new genres, ensuring Indian games are not just played but celebrated globally.”
Vaibhav Chavan, Founder and Game Director of underDOGS Studio says, “With Mukti, we are not just bringing an original Indian IP to the global stage through an Indian lens, we are laying the foundation for building world-class franchises from India, stories that can travel across games, films and beyond. The IGPDA ensures indie studios like ours thrive and contribute to a strong ecosystem for Indian IP.”
Nicolas Granatino, Executive Chairman of Tara Gaming says, “India has always been a land of timeless and epic stories. At Tara Gaming with our first AAA game, The Age of Bharaat, we are transforming that heritage into interactive experience for global audiences. The IGPDA is the platform that will ensure these culturally rich games do not just stay within India, but become part of mainstream global entertainment — elevating Indian storytelling to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s biggest and most successful franchises.”
Ninad Chhaya, Senior Vice President of Corporate Developmentof Reliance Games says, “The IGPDA is not only about creating great games, it’s about shaping futures. By empowering talent, unlocking opportunities, and strengthening the AVGC ecosystem, we envision India becoming the world’s largest powerhouse of gaming creativity and innovation.”
Deepak Ail, Co-founder and CEO of Dot9 Games says, “The fan fervour for our game FAU-G: Domination signals that there is an audience for Indian games, making IGPDA’s launch timing near perfect. We finally have a unified voice to mentor new studios, attract investment, and secure India’s rightful place on the global gaming map.”
Kaval Bombra, President of nCore Games says, “The IGPDA will provide the platform that helps to unify the voice of the gaming industry and articulate its interests. By advocating for our industry across the regulatory, investment, and operational landscape, we will ensure that India’s vibrant gaming sector continues to expand its presence responsibly and sustainably, both here, and across the world.”
Varun Mayya, Founder of Aeos Games says, “The response to our upcoming debut title Unleash the Avatar proves India has always had the talent and tools to be a game development superpower. Through IGPDA we hope to further democratise game development by uniting creators and enablers to ensure India produces best-in-class, cutting-edge epics for gamers the world over.”
India as a videogaming powerhouse
Amish Tripathi, best-selling author and Co-founder of Tara Gaming says, “Video gaming is the biggest creative industry; it’s bigger than movies, books, music, and theatre combined. India gets very little of the pie. Much of our gaming industry presently is mobile-game-dominated which has a large number of users but not enough revenue. The market is also dominated by Chinese games. But with our own games, based on our own culture, we could actually bring revenue into the country and also export our culture. IGPDA will supercharge this effort to make India a gaming superpower.”
Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor (Investments & Strategy) to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra says, “Our focus has been to drive strategic investments, foster global partnerships, and accelerate transformative infrastructure and technology initiatives in Maharashtra under the visionary leadership of Hon. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. We welcome this proactive initiative from the Indian games industry.”