Flutter Exits India After Sudden Ban on Real-Money Online Gaming

On August 22, 2025, India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, a law that immediately prohibited all real-money online games. The sweeping ban covered even skill-based formats such as online poker and rummy. The legislation was introduced and enacted within just 48 hours, leaving both operators and players blindsided.

Flutter Shuts Down Junglee Operations

One of the earliest and most significant responses came from Flutter Entertainment, which confirmed it would cease all real-money activity in India to comply with the new rules. The move directly impacts Junglee Games, the company Flutter acquired for $200 million in 2021.

Junglee had built a strong foothold with titles like Junglee Rummy and Howzat, before expanding into poker. In March 2024, the group merged Junglee Poker with PokerStars India to create a joint platform. Less than 18 months later, that platform has been forced offline.

Visitors to Junglee’s sites now encounter a simple shutdown notice:

“We remain committed to operating responsibly and transparently. In line with the current legal landscape, real-money gaming on our platforms has been discontinued.”

Flutter’s Official Response

Reacting to the sudden policy change, Flutter CEO Peter Jackson expressed deep disappointment:

“Over the last four years Junglee has invested significantly in its local market, building a workforce of over 1,100 employees to deliver innovative skill-based gaming products to Indian customers. Central to this has been a strategy which prioritizes consumer protections and responsible gaming.”

Jackson also warned of unintended consequences, noting that players may turn to offshore platforms with no safeguards in place. This, he argued, not only undermines consumer protection but also deprives India of both tax revenue and foreign investment.

The timing is particularly damaging for Flutter, which had projected $200 million in revenue and $50 million in Adjusted EBITDA from its Indian operations in 2025, with nearly half expected to be generated in the second half of the year.

What It Means for Poker in India

While Flutter’s statement focused on Junglee, the ripple effect is being felt across the wider poker community. The merged Junglee–PokerStars platform had been one of the country’s largest regulated poker sites, and its sudden closure has left players with no legal alternatives inside India.

This development halts a period of growth for Indian poker. In recent years, the ecosystem had seen steady expansion under regulated operators and strategic partnerships, such as collaborations with international tours. Investment was flowing into new technology, sponsorships, and stronger player-protection systems.

Flutter’s exit now represents a major setback. With no regulated platforms remaining, Indian players face an uncertain future, and the industry risks losing the momentum it had worked hard to build.

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