India Supreme Court upholds restrictions on real-money online gaming

India’s Supreme Court has dismissed review petitions filed by Junglee Games, owned by Flutter Entertainment, and other online gaming operators. The ruling upholds state-level restrictions in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that prohibit certain forms of real-money online games.

The legal dispute originated in 2021 when these states amended betting and gambling laws to restrict online gaming activities involving monetary stakes. While operators argued that skill-based games, such as rummy, should be legally distinguished from games of chance, the Supreme Court maintained its May 2026 decision. The Court indicated that betting on the outcome of games can classify them as gambling, meaning skill-based games do not enjoy immunity from these prohibitions.

The regulatory shifts have had significant economic consequences for the industry. Flutter Entertainment reportedly laid off approximately 350 employees following the changes. While some operators have questioned the constitutionality of the bans, the dismissal of these review petitions reinforces the legal standing of the state legislations.