Digital gaming firm Games24X7, known for platforms like My11Circle and RummyCircle, has begun laying off approximately 500 employees—nearly 70% of its workforce—following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The legislation, passed by Parliament on August 21, imposes a blanket ban on all forms of real-money online gaming in India, effectively dismantling the company’s core revenue model.
Sources close to the development confirmed that the layoffs are already underway, with the company expected to retain only a small team to manage remaining operations.
Games24X7 had a workforce of around 700 to 750 employees prior to the restructuring.
Games24X7 Layoffs: Law Shuts Down Real-Money Gaming Ecosystem
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, prohibits advertisements for money-based games and blocks financial institutions from processing payments related to such platforms.
Violations can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines reaching ₹2 crore for repeat offences.
The law aims to curb addiction and financial losses associated with real-money gaming.
According to government estimates, nearly 45 crore Indians lost around ₹20,000 crore in a single year due to compulsive engagement with online money games.
Legal Challenges and Strategic Pivots
While most operators have complied with the new law, some—including Head Digital Works, which runs A23—have filed legal challenges.
The Supreme Court has asked all high courts to transfer related cases to avoid conflicting rulings.
Companies now face three strategic options in response to the gaming ban.
They can either pursue legal relief, pivot to non-money formats like esports and streaming, or downsize and renegotiate with investors.
Games24X7 has not publicly shared its future plans. Queries to its founders, Bhavin Pandya and Trivikraman Thampy, have gone unanswered.
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