PokerBaazi, one of India’s leading real-money online poker platforms, has suspended its paid gaming operations following the Parliament’s approval of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The law imposes a nationwide ban on real-money gaming formats, aiming to curb addiction and financial harm caused by such platforms.
Official Statement and Business Impact
In a regulatory filing, Nazara Technologies, which holds a 46.07% stake in PokerBaazi’s parent company Moonshine Technologies, confirmed the cessation. The company stated it acted as a precautionary measure to comply with the law while it assesses future steps.
Market Reaction and Investment Losses
Investors reacted swiftly: Nazara’s shares dropped over 20% in a single week, signaling widespread concern over its exposure to the real-money gaming sector. Brokerages have even speculated that Moonshine’s valuation could fall to zero if the ban remains permanent.
Player Reassurances and Statements from PokerBaazi
Co-founder Navkiran Singh described the law’s passage as “the darkest day in the history of poker in India.” He assured users that pending rakebacks and wallet balances remain accessible, and remained hopeful that the platform might return once the regulatory environment changes.
Industry-Wide Shutdowns
PokerBaazi’s shutdown aligns with similar moves by other major gaming platforms. Companies like Dream11, MPL, Zupee, My11Circle, Gameskraft, Probo, and WinZO have also suspended their real-money operations in response to the sweeping legislation.
