Gaming

iGaming Giants Leaving India

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2023

Online gambling is a well-liked and lucrative pastime for many Indians because they like the thrill and excitement of placing bets on sporting events, casino games, and other events. However, the landscape of online gambling in India has drastically changed in recent months as a result of Betway and Bet365, two of the biggest and most respected platforms, declaring their exit from the Indian market. What is the justification for this decision, and what does it signify for Indian gamblers?

Why Gambling Giants are Leaving India: What is The 28% GST?

The main reason why Betway and Bet365 have decided to stop operating in India is the new tax law that came into effect on October 1, 2023. The law imposes a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing. This means that online gambling platforms have to pay 28% of the full value of bets placed by Indian customers to the government, regardless of whether they win or lose. This is a huge increase from the previous tax rate of 18% on gross gaming revenue (GGR), which is the difference between the bets placed and the winnings paid out.

The new tax law was passed by the GST Council, which consists of representatives from all Indian states, as a way to curb illegal and unregulated online gambling activities in the country. The law also requires offshore platforms to have GST registration and compliance to operate in India and gives the authority to block access to any non-compliant sites. The law aims to protect Indian consumers from fraud and addiction, as well as generate more revenue for the government.

However, the new tax law has also made online gambling very unprofitable and unsustainable for many platforms, especially those that cater to low-stakes and casual bettors. Betway and Bet365 have stated that they cannot afford to pay such a high tax rate on every bet and that they would rather focus on other markets where they can offer better services and value to their customers. Therefore, they have ceased trading in India and have asked their existing customers to withdraw their funds as soon as possible.

The Future of Online Gambling: New Laws, Higher Taxes…What Now?

The new tax law on online gaming has changed the online gambling scenario in India significantly. While it may have some positive effects on curbing illegal activities and generating revenue for the government, it also has some negative impacts on the online gambling industry and its customers. Many platforms may find it difficult to operate in India under such high tax rates and may decide to exit or reduce their services. This may limit the options and choices for Indian bettors, who may have to settle for lower quality or less reputable platforms.

Moreover, the new tax law may also affect the profitability and enjoyment of online gambling for Indian customers. They may have to pay more taxes on their bets or winnings than before, which may reduce their returns or incentives. They may also face more restrictions or difficulties in accessing online gambling platforms, especially those that are based offshore. They may have to deal with more legal and regulatory uncertainties, as different states may have different rules and policies on online gambling.

Therefore, the future of online gambling in India is uncertain and challenging. However, it is not hopeless or impossible. There are still some online gambling platforms that are willing and able to serve Indian customers and offer them a safe and satisfying online gambling experience. There are also some online gambling enthusiasts and advocates who are working to create a more favorable and conducive environment for online gambling in India, by lobbying for more reasonable and consistent laws and regulations. There may be some changes or developments in the online gambling landscape in India in the coming years, and we hope that they will be for the better.

Conclusion

Online gambling is a popular and lucrative activity for many Indians, who enjoy the thrill and excitement of betting on sports, casino games, and other events. However, the online gambling landscape in India has changed dramatically in recent months, as two of the biggest and most trusted platforms, Betway and Bet365, have announced their exit from the Indian market. The main reason for this decision is the new tax law that imposes a 28% GST on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing, which makes online gambling very unprofitable and unsustainable for many platforms.

However, there are still some alternatives that offer a variety of sports betting and casino games, as well as attractive bonuses and promotions. Some of the best online betting sites that you can join today in India are 10CRIC, Dafabet, and 22Bet. These platforms accept Indian rupees and offer a safe and satisfying online gambling experience. The future of online gambling in India is uncertain and challenging, but not hopeless or impossible. There may be some changes or developments in the online gambling landscape in India in the coming years, and we hope that they will be for the better.

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Related Topics:Bet365 Betway casino games iGaming

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Checkmate Goes Digital as Chess Joins Esports Nations Cup 2026

From boards to bytes, chess readies for a nation-first showdown in Riyadh.

Published

3 hours ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When pawns meet power plays, the game changes. Chess, the world’s oldest mind sport, is officially stepping deeper into the digital arena after the Esports World Cup Foundation confirmed it as one of 16 titles at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, set to unfold in Riyadh from 2 to 29 November.

For a game synonymous with quiet halls and ticking clocks, this is a bold move. Chess at ENC 2026 promises scale, spectacle and serious competition, fielding an unprecedented 128 players and opening the board to fresh talent and underrepresented nations as the sport’s esports evolution gathers pace.

The chess competition will run from November 2 to November 8, culminating in a playoff final. The opening phase features 128 players split into 16 round-robin groups of eight, with the top four from each group advancing.

That leaves 64 players battling it out in a single-elimination playoff bracket. Early rounds will be best-of-two, while the quarterfinals onward step up to best-of-four encounters. Deadlocks will be settled via Armageddon tie-breakers, and all matches will be played in a Rapid 10+0 format, designed for speed, tension and drama.

National pride is front and centre. Of the 128 slots, 64 players will receive direct invitations based on Champions Chess Tour rankings, limited to one per nation. Another 56 players will qualify through regional online qualifiers, while eight wildcard spots round out the field.

Qualifiers will be hosted by Chess.com across seven regions, including Middle East + India + Central Asia, with two qualifier windows in June 2026. Each country can field a maximum of two players, ensuring both depth and diversity across the draw.

Chess already tasted esports stardom at the 2025 Esports World Cup, where 20 nations were represented and the intensity surprised even purists. The event ended with Magnus Carlsen lifting the title for Team Liquid, sealing chess’s credentials as a natural fit for high-stakes digital competition.

India’s top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi called the experience “unlike any chess tournament I’ve played before”, adding that the energy of the esports stage is drawing new audiences into the game.

For commentators and fans alike, the shift to a nation-based format raises the stakes. Chessbase India co-founder Sagar Shah likened the moment to the excitement of the Chess Olympiad, while grandmaster and broadcaster Tania Sachdev said the national format adds “pride, pressure and passion” that pulls viewers in deeper.

From silent calculation to roaring crowds, chess at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 is less about moving pieces and more about moving perceptions. Checkmate, it seems, has gone fully digital.

Gaming

Road to EWC unites 230 tournaments worldwide ahead of Esports World Cup 2026

Published

4 days ago

February 5, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has launched Road to EWC, a worldwide qualification programme for the Esports World Cup 2026, stitching together more than 230 tournaments across major esports regions into a single global competitive season.

Running from grassroots qualifiers to elite international leagues, the initiative creates a unified pathway for players and clubs to reach the Esports World Cup finals in Riyadh from 6 July to 23 August, 2026. The season integrates publisher-led ecosystems and major circuits into one calendar, offering year-round visibility for fans and structured progression for competitors.

“Road to EWC brings together the journeys that shape competitive esports,” said Esports World Cup Foundation chief product officer Faisal Bin Homran. “It gives players, clubs, publishers and fans a defined season to plan around, building a sustainable and global competitive ecosystem.”

The qualification network spans leading events including the Apex Legends Global Series, Capcom Cup, Chess.com Global Championship, EVO, Free Fire World Series, EA Sports FC Pro, Pubg Global Series, Rocket League Championship Series, Overwatch Champions Series, Tekken World Tour Finals, and official circuits for Call of Duty, League of Legends, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, Trackmania and Valorant.

Open online qualifiers will also run for titles such as Dota 2, Teamfight Tactics, Call of Duty: Warzone and Chess, widening access for emerging talent.

In 2025, more than 2,500 players from over 100 countries qualified through the Road to EWC programme. Highlights included 15-year-old Free Fire player Rasyah Rasyid becoming the youngest champion in event history, EA FC star Manuel Bachoore claiming gold, and Street Fighter icon Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun securing another major title. Team Falcons captured their second club championship following a dramatic Overwatch 2 victory.

A dedicated Road to EWC hub will track qualification events, schedules and viewing options throughout the season. Ticket sales for the Esports World Cup 2026 are now live, with international partners across the US, Europe, Middle East, India and China.

The Esports World Cup returns to Riyadh next summer, bringing together the world’s top clubs across multiple game titles to compete for the largest prize pool in esports history.

Gaming

Nintendo shares slide 10 per cent despite profit jump, hit by chip shortages

Published

5 days ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KYOTO: Nintendo shares slid more than 10 per cent on Wednesday, a day after the gaming giant missed market forecasts for quarterly revenue and warned of mounting pressure from a global memory chip shortage, as per media reports.

The company beat profit expectations, posting a 24 per cent year-on-year rise, driven by strong sales of the Nintendo Switch franchise. Revenue surged 86 per cent, with the original Switch now the firm’s best-selling console since its launch in 2017.

Yet rising component costs are weighing on investor sentiment. Nintendo relies heavily on dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a segment grappling with acute shortages as artificial intelligence and data centre demand soak up supply.

Ortus Advisors head of Japanese equity strategy Andrew Jackson, said markets remain uneasy about the impact of higher memory prices on Nintendo’s margins.

President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged that while soaring memory costs have not yet dented results for the current financial year, prolonged price pressures could squeeze profitability.

TrendForce estimates that contract prices for conventional Dram chips in the first quarter could jump between 90 and 95 per cent from the previous quarter. A senior semiconductor industry executive recently told CNBC the shortage may last until 2027.

Kantan Games chief executive of consultancy Serkan Toto, said sustained cost inflation could force Nintendo to raise console prices: a risky move for its largely casual user base.

The company’s newest device, Switch 2, launched in June last year and already dominates its console sales mix. But analysts warn that momentum in the first year is critical for any new platform.

Concerns persist over whether Switch 2 can match the runaway success of its predecessor, despite Nintendo holding firm on its full-year sales forecast.

The outlook hinges on upcoming blockbuster releases, including Mario Tennis Fever in February and Pokémon Pokopia in March. Nintendo is also banking on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, due in April, to replicate the sales boost sparked by its 2023 hit film.

Omdia senior analyst James McWhirter, said 2026 would be a “make-or-break” year as Nintendo seeks broader mass-market appeal for Switch 2.

Nintendo shares are down more than 15 per cent so far this year.