Online betting apps have become popular in India over the past few years. Parimatch is one of the most well-known platforms among Indian users. But many people ask a simple question: Can I legally use Parimatch in India?
The answer has changed recently. After India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act in 2025, Parimatch is no longer legal in India.
This article explains what happened, why the law changed, and what risks you face if you still try to use such platforms.
What Is Parimatch?
Parimatch is an online sports betting platform that started in 1994. It allows users to bet on cricket, football, tennis, and other sports. The platform also offers casino games, live betting, and mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Parimatch has always been an offshore platform. It operates from outside India and holds a licence from the Curacao Gaming Authority. Before 2025, this setup allowed Indian users to access the platform without clear legal restrictions.
The platform became popular in India because it accepts Indian Rupees. It also supports payment methods like UPI, Paytm, Google Pay, and bank transfers. Parimatch even partnered with Indian celebrities like cricketer Dinesh Karthik and actress Kajal Aggarwal to boost its reputation.
How Did Gambling Laws Work Before 2025?
India’s gambling laws were outdated and confusing for a long time. The main law was the Public Gambling Act of 1867. This law focused on physical gambling houses. It did not mention online betting because the internet did not exist at the time.
This created a grey area. Since no central law directly banned online betting, offshore platforms like Parimatch operated without restrictions. They kept their servers outside India and claimed they were not breaking Indian law.
States had their own rules, too. Some states, such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, banned all forms of online betting in 2020. Other states, such as Goa and Sikkim, allow certain types of gambling. But most states had no specific rules for online betting.
This patchwork of laws meant that millions of Indians used offshore betting apps without facing legal trouble. Platforms like Parimatch took advantage of this situation and grew their user base in India.
The 2025 Online Gaming Law Changed Everything
In August 2025, the Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act. The President signed it into law on August 22, 2025. This law completely changed the legal landscape for online betting in India.
The new law bans all online money games. This includes sports betting, online casinos, fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and any other game where you put in money to win money. The law does not care whether the game involves skill or luck. If real money is at stake, it is banned.
The law also targets offshore platforms like Parimatch. Even though Parimatch operates from outside India, the law applies to any platform that offers services to Indian users.
Here are the key points of the 2025 law:
- All real-money online gaming platforms are banned
- Operating such platforms can lead to three years in prison and fines of up to one crore rupees
- Advertising on these platforms can result in two years in prison and fines of up to fifty lakh rupees
- Banks and payment services cannot process transactions for banned platforms
- The government can block access to these websites and apps
The law promotes esports and social games as legal alternatives. These games must not involve any real-money stakes or betting.
Why Parimatch is Illegal in India Now
Parimatch falls directly under the 2025 ban because it is a real-money betting platform. It does not matter that Parimatch has a Curacao licence. It does not matter that the company operates from outside India. The law applies to any platform that targets Indian users.
Parimatch allows users to deposit money, place bets, and withdraw winnings. This makes it an online money game under the new law. The platform’s sports betting and casino sections are both covered by the ban.
Some users think that using a foreign licence or international payment methods makes it legal. This is wrong. The 2025 law specifically addresses offshore platforms. No payment method or foreign licence can make Parimatch legal in India.
What Happens If You Use Parimatch?
Using Parimatch from India comes with several risks. The law targets not just the operators but also users who access banned platforms.
| Risk Category | Potential Consequences |
|---|---|
| Payment Issues | • Deposits may be blocked by banks.• UPI and digital wallet restrictions.• Withdrawals often delayed or rejected.• Bank accounts may be flagged for suspicious activity. |
| Financial Loss | • Accounts can be frozen without notice.• Zero legal recourse to recover funds due to a lack of legal standing in India.• High risk of total loss of deposited capital and winnings. |
| Legal Consequences | • Potential for legal questioning regarding transactions.• Involvement in banned gambling activities can lead to regulatory scrutiny. |
| Platform Access | • Official sites are frequently blocked by the government.• Using VPNs or mirror sites does not bypass the illegality of the action.• Technical workarounds remain against the law. |
A Real Case That Pushed the Ban
News reports mentioned that a Mumbai businessman lost twelve crore rupees on Parimatch before the ban. Cases like this showed the government why action was needed.
The authorities found that online betting platforms caused several problems. Users lost large amounts of money. Some platforms were involved in money laundering. Others were used for fraud and illegal activities. Reports even suggested that some gaming platforms helped in terror financing.
These issues led the government to introduce strict regulations rather than continue the grey area that had existed before.
What About the Supreme Court Challenge?
The 2025 law faces legal challenges. Industry representatives have filed petitions in the Supreme Court questioning whether the law is constitutional. They argue that the ban treats skill-based and chance-based games the same, which goes against earlier court rulings.
The Supreme Court deferred the hearing until January 2026. Until then, the law remains in effect but has not been formally notified for enforcement.
This creates some uncertainty. However, major gaming platforms have already shut down their operations in India. Banks and payment providers are being cautious about processing gaming transactions. The industry expects stricter enforcement once the notification happens.
What Are Your Legal Options?
If you want to play games online, you have legal alternatives under the 2025 law.
| Category | Legal Requirements & Conditions | Monetary Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Esports | • Must be recognized under the National Sports Governance Act.• Must involve organized, competitive structures. | • No betting or stakes allowed on outcomes. |
| Social & Educational Games | • Designed for entertainment or learning purposes.• Subscription or “pay-to-play” models are allowed. | • No monetary winnings can be offered in return for stakes. |
| Free-to-Play Games | • Standard mobile and online games available to the general public. | • Completely legal as long as no real money is involved in winning or losing. |
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 law represents a major policy shift in India. The government decided that the risks of online money gaming outweigh the benefits. Issues like addiction, financial fraud, money laundering, and even national security concerns drove this decision.
Critics say the ban will push users toward illegal and unregulated platforms. They argue that a licensing system would have been better. But for now, the law is clear. All real-money online gaming platforms, including Parimatch, are banned in India.
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Final Thoughts: Parimatch Is Not Legal In India After The 2025 Online Gaming Act
The law bans all real-money gaming platforms, regardless of where they operate from or what licence they hold.
Using Parimatch can lead to blocked payments, frozen accounts, and potential legal trouble. Your money stuck in such platforms may be difficult to recover.
If you want to enjoy online games, stick to free-to-play options or recognized esports. These are legal and safe and will not put you at risk.
The legal situation may change if the Supreme Court rules differently. But until that happens, the safest choice is to avoid platforms like Parimatch.
