Online Gaming Firm A23 Challenges Ban on Money-Based Games in Karnataka High Court

Indian gaming company A23 has filed a case against the central government’s recent ban on money-based online games, contending it criminalises legitimate skill-based gaming such as rummy and poker.

The law, enacted by Prime Minister Modi’s administration, led to the abrupt shutdown of popular apps and jeopardised a $3.6 billion industry backed by major investors.

A23’s petition to the Karnataka High Court argues the legislation is unconstitutional when applied to skill games, but leading rivals Dream11 and MPL plan to comply, shifting focus to free-to-play models after massive revenue losses.