India’s nationwide ban on domestic real-money gaming has failed to stop players, according to a report from CUTS International. Instead, it has pushed users toward offshore platforms beyond the reach of local regulators, effectively shifting the geography of gaming rather than eliminating it.
Offshore Migration Across States
The report surveyed 3,000 former users in Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, revealing:
- Delhi NCR: Offshore participation now at 82%
- Tamil Nadu: 83%
- Maharashtra: 92%
Overall, offshore gaming increased by 18 percentage points after the PROG Act came into force. Maharashtra saw the sharpest rise, with a 25-point increase, while Delhi and Tamil Nadu rose by 14–15 points.
High-Intensity Play Moves Offshore
The study indicates that frequent and high-value gaming has migrated offshore:
- Daily offshore play has surged from 2–3% to over 40%
- Gaming sessions longer than 2 hours also exceed 40%
- Spending above ₹25,000 per month has increased significantly on foreign platforms
This highlights that the most engaged and high-spending users are no longer on regulated domestic platforms.
Growing Risk for Young and Vulnerable Users
CUTS International warns that younger and lower-income users face higher risks:
- 18–24 age group is increasingly active on offshore sites
- Vulnerable users are playing on unregulated platforms without consumer protection or grievance mechanisms
- Users reported easy access to offshore sites via Telegram and WhatsApp, with mainstream payment methods like UPI facilitating continued play
Call for Regulation Instead of Pure Prohibition
CUTS International emphasizes that the ban-first strategy is not working:
- Domestic sites have been forced out, but consumers continue to access offshore services
- Offshore platforms operate outside Indian law, lacking responsible gaming measures, dispute resolution, and consumer protections
- CUTS advocates a regulated framework to monitor gaming activity, protect vulnerable users, and bring offshore play into a safer, structured environment
Amol Kulkarni, Director of Research at CUTS, concluded that a strategic shift from prohibition to regulation is needed to address risks while maintaining oversight in India’s open digital landscape.
This report underscores the limitations of blanket bans and highlights the urgent need for consumer-focused regulatory reforms in real-money gaming.
