More real money gaming platforms shut shop

SHUTDOWNS IN THE real money gaming (RMG) sector continued on Friday, with WinZO, Head Digital Works and PokerBaazi announcing the closure of their paid gaming operations.

- ANEES HUSSAIN

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by both Houses of Parliament, received the Presidential assent on Friday. It imposes a blanket ban on all real money gaming, regardless of whether the games are based on skill or chance.

WinZO, which has over 250 million users and hosts 100+ games in 15 languages, said it was "responsibly withdrawing impacted offerings effective August 2025 in compliance with the new law." The platform, which positioned itself as an "alternative to app-store monopolies," has attracted global investors, including Kalaari Capital, Griffin Gaming Partners, and Steve Pagliuca, co-chair of Bain Capital and owner of the Boston Celtics.