CUTS International: After RMG ban in India, as many as 92% users have moved to offshore iGaming operators

CUTS International: After RMG ban in India, as many as 92% users have moved to offshore iGaming operators

Outlook Business, citing a study by the Indian think tank CUTS International reports on the impact of the RMG ban in India (PROG Act, effective from 1 October 2025). The study is based on a survey of 3,000 former users of local RMG operators in three regions. The iGN editorial team highlights the following key findings:

• 18 p.p. - increase in the share of players with offshore iGaming operators on average in three regions after the PROG Act came into force
• 92% - Maharashtra (+25 p.p.)
• 83% - Tamil Nadu (+14-15pts)
• 82% - Delhi NCR (+14-15 p.p.)
• 40%+ - daily activity at offshore iGaming operators (before the ban ~2-3%)
• 40%+ - spend more than 2 hours playing the game
• $271+ - sharp rise in monthly spend at offshore iGaming operators
• 18-24 is the fastest growing age group in terms of spending
• Young and low-income users are highlighted as the most vulnerable group

CUTS International's research director said the ban has not reduced the size of the RMG market, but has diverted players to unregulated offshore iGaming operators, and called for a balanced regulatory approach instead of a blanket ban policy

According to the study, players find offshore iGaming operators through channels on Telegram and groups on WhatsApp, and continue to use the local UPI system for payments