Jumbo Fantasy and Stake Continue on the App Store in India Despite RMG Ban

Following the implementation of India’s ban on real-money gaming, several operators remain available for download on the App Store. Storyboard18 highlighted this issue.

Situation After PROGA 2025 Enactment

Two months after the introduction of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), several gambling and betting platforms remain available on the Apple App Store, raising questions about legal compliance and platform accountability.

The law significantly impacted legitimate real-money and fantasy sports companies such as Dream11, Gameskraft, MPL, Zupee, WinZO, and Games24x7, which suspended operations. However, lesser-known apps like Jumbo Fantasy and unauthorized betting platforms such as Stake continue to operate and accept player deposits.

Operations of Jumbo Fantasy and Stake

• Jumbo Fantasy displays a message at launch: “We Never Stop. Play freely, the latest government regulations do not affect Jumbo”
• Both apps continue distributing Android APKs through Telegram and social media
• They offer real-money betting and payouts despite the ban

Industry estimates indicate that in the 60 days since PROGA 2025 was enacted, players lost deposits totaling over ₹7,440 crore, while the government missed out on around ₹2,082 crore in tax revenue. More than 6,500 people lost their jobs, highlighting the economic impact of sudden policy changes.

Regulation and Enforcement

The government acted swiftly: on August 19, the Cabinet approved the bill, and both houses of Parliament passed it within 48 hours. However, the notification marking the law’s enforcement has not yet been issued.

While major companies comply and suspend operations, smaller operators like Jumbo Fantasy continue to run.

The Role of Apple and Google Play

The situation is further complicated by differences in marketplace policies. Google Play has long restricted many types of betting, whereas Apple allows gambling apps to operate, which has drawn criticism:

• Apple is effectively enabling illegal platforms to continue operating in India
• This has sparked frustration among lawmakers and industry representatives

Next Steps by the Government

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is collecting public comments on draft rules until October 31, 2025. The Supreme Court will also hear several petitions from RMG companies challenging the constitutionality of the law.

While issues such as the definition of “betting” and the burden on game developers are being discussed, some operators continue to disregard the rules, staying active on the Apple App Store and using social media for marketing.

Impact on the Industry

Overall, the current situation exposes significant gaps in enforcement and underscores the need for stricter oversight by both the government and platforms like Apple.