Poker has always raised questions in India. Is it a game of skill or just gambling? The Online Gaming Bill 2025 gave states the power to decide. As a result, PokerBaazi, one of India’s leading poker apps, is now banned in several states. The reason is not that it is bad or something, eventually poker has been played in India for decades. For the purpose of entertainment and fun. It mainly played during gatherings, holidays or in any free time.
The New Law
The new bill set rules for online games with money. It made age checks and tax rules stricter. It also asked platforms to add safety tools for players. But the biggest change is that states now control whether poker is legal. Means in the behalf of this law many states banned PokerBazzi like platforms in their states. As of now states have the authority to decide whether they want to allow these games in their state or not.
Where PokerBaazi Is Banned
PokerBaazi blocks real-money play in these states:
- Assam
- Odisha
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu
- Sikkim
- Nagaland
- Meghalaya
So, these are the list of the states that have banned PokerBazzi, which directly means that Players in these states can only play free games. Cash tables and tournaments are off-limits.
Why the Ban Happened
State governments believe poker with money is risky. They say it causes losses, debts, and addiction. But there are many players who play poker for entertainment purposes and test their skills. These games are believed to improve the skills like knowing the odds, reading opponents, and making decisions. This is the reason that many states decide to not ban this game. As a result Poker gets banned in some states while remaining unbanned in others.
The Economic Impact
For many players, poker was more than fun. Some used it as a way to earn extra money. The ban has taken away that option in restricted states. It also blocked a path for those who were starting to treat poker as a competitive skill game. Platforms like PokerBaazi have also lost players, which means smaller prize pools and fewer tournaments. This drop affects both casual and serious players. Governments in banned states lose tax revenue too, while states that allow poker continue to earn revenue, attract more players, and support the online gaming economy.
How PokerBaazi Changed
After the bill, PokerBaazi updated its app. It uses location checks to block players in banned states, making sure no one can bypass the rules. The app also added safer play tools like deposit limits and account pause options. These give players more control over time and spending. For many users, it’s a reminder to treat poker as fun rather than income. These steps help the company follow the law and protect its players. They also show PokerBaazi is ready to adapt, keeping trust with regulators and users in states where poker is still legal.
Poker’s Ongoing Debate
The question remains: is poker gambling or a game of skill? Courts have often said it’s skill, but states don’t always agree. This debate has been going on for years, and it still divides lawmakers, players, and experts. The new bill hasn’t ended the argument. Instead, it created different rules across India. Players in some states enjoy cash games, while others are restricted to practice tables. These differences confuse players and highlight the split in legal views. Until there’s a uniform decision, poker will stay caught between being a respected skill sport and being labeled as gambling.
Final Thoughts
PokerBazzi’s restrictions show what is the point of view of states related to these online betting games. If your states allow you to play this then you can play it but the rules are more strict now. So, make sure to play responsibly. If you are playing these kinds of games then your main purpose should be skill improvement not a way of making money. Or if your state bans it then respect the rules and play for fun as money should not play any kind of role in it. If you ignore these bans or rules then it is definitely going to be risky.
