WPT Global Shuts Down Operations in India Ahead of Gaming Ban

WPT Global Shuts Down Operations in India Ahead of Gaming Ban
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Iva Dozet News Editor
Fact Checked: PokerListings
  • Updated: September 25, 2025
  • Read time: 2 min

A few months ago, we wrote a relatively short piece about a proposed bill that could outlaw all real-money online gaming in India, poker included. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which was introduced by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, doesn’t distinguish between games of skill and games of chance, meaning online poker is in a precarious legal position. So, why are we rehashing this story?

Apart from the bill passing both houses of Parliament, receiving presidential assent, and becoming law, we’re beginning to see the first real consequence now. In a letter sent to affiliates, WPT Global announced it will discontinue its services for Indian players starting 30 September.

WPT Global Pulls the Plug on India

According to the notice, WPT Global is leaving the Indian market as part of a “strategic business review.” But the timing, and the subtext, suggests otherwise.

It’s hard to ignore the link between the company’s exit and the looming threat of federal legislation that could ban real-money gaming altogether. According to Minister Vaishnaw, the law takes effect on October 1st, 2025.

Since that deadline is pretty near, here’s what Indian players need to know:

  • Gameplay will remain available until September 30th
  • From October 1st, accounts will only be accessible for withdrawals
  • All balances must be withdrawn using the same payment method as the most recent deposit
  • Tournament tickets must be used before the shutdown date
  • Passport Dollar (PP$) queries should be sent to [email protected]

For players with balances below the minimum withdrawal limit or other account-related issues, WPT Global is directing support requests to [email protected].

A Familiar Pattern, a Familiar Problem

This news only echoes what we speculated about in our earlier piece. The legislation doesn’t provide any carve-out for games of skill, poker included, regulated operators are being forced to exit.

The majority of poker players in India learned the game online and now that that’s been taken away, there’s no live poker scene to absorb the fallout. If poker sites continue to leave, players could be left with no legal or regulated alternatives.

And this isn’t just a where-to-play problem either. Affiliates, content creators, streamers, and promoters, all of whom have helped build India’s poker ecosystem, are now left scrambling, as one of the most recognisable global poker brands shuts its doors.

(Again) What Happens Now ?

With the law officially taking effect on October 1, and no exemptions for poker in sight, WPT Global may be the first major site to exit but it likely won’t be the last. Legal challenges have already started in some states, but nothing to pause the rollout so for.

PokerListings will keep an eye on any more possible exits and keep you updated.