State eligibility under the PROG Act 2025 — what to read before you tap accept.
A field-by-field read of the PROG Act 2025, the MeitY online gaming registry, and which Indian states still restrict or prohibit paid fantasy cricket contests — written as a research guide, not as a promotion.
What the PROG Act 2025 changed
The Public Gambling Act 2025 (PROG Act) introduced a national framework for online real-money games in India. The Act distinguishes between games of skill and games of chance, recognises fantasy cricket as a game of skill under most judicial precedent, and leaves state-level prohibition in place for states that have notified a contrary position.
The PROG Act 2025 introduced a national framework, but state-level prohibition still applies. Players in prohibited states should not join paid fantasy contests, even if the contest platform advertises the opposite.
The PROG Act 2025 framework
The framework has three parts. First, a national self-exclusion registry at the MeitY online gaming portal. Second, mandatory KYC for all paid fantasy players. Third, a maximum-deposit cap of ₹2,000 per contest, with a per-platform wagering ceiling.
The self-exclusion registry is the most important player-protection signal. It makes opting out enforceable across platforms — a player who registers cannot be signed up for paid contests on any registered platform until the self-exclusion period ends.
State-by-state eligibility
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Delhi | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Gujarat | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Uttar Pradesh | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Madhya Pradesh | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Rajasthan | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| West Bengal | Eligible | Recognised skill game |
| Karnataka | Restricted | State-level notification in force |
| Kerala | Restricted | Kerala Gaming Act 2025 framework |
| Odisha | Restricted | State-level framework pending |
| Sikkim | Restricted | Sikkim Online Gaming Act applies |
| Tamil Nadu | Prohibited | State prohibition in force |
| Andhra Pradesh | Prohibited | State prohibition in force |
| Telangana | Prohibited | State prohibition in force |
| Assam | Prohibited | State prohibition in force |
Verify the latest notification on the MeitY online gaming registry. The table above was last reviewed in July 2026.
Play responsibly
Player11 reads as a research desk for an 18+ audience. State eligibility is the non-negotiable boundary — if your state is on the prohibited list, do not join paid fantasy cricket contests. If your state is on the restricted list, verify the latest notification on the MeitY online gaming registry. The desk also maintains a /delete-account/ flow for the reading account and a referral list of self-exclusion tools.
Self-exclusion and opt-out
The PROG Act 2025 introduced a national self-exclusion registry at the MeitY online gaming portal. Readers who wish to opt out of paid fantasy cricket entirely can register at the portal. The opt-out applies across all registered platforms for the duration of the registration period, which is typically 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
State-by-state grandfathering
Some states have grandfathered paid fantasy contests in their jurisdiction under specific conditions. The grandfathering usually applies to contest formats that were permitted under the previous state-level framework. The grandfathering window varies by state — typically 6 to 24 months. After the grandfathering window closes, the new state-level framework applies in full. Verify the latest notification on the MeitY online gaming registry before joining any paid contest.
Reading desk letters: [email protected]. Self-exclusion: MeitY online gaming portal. Gambling support: iCall 9152987821.
How to verify your state
Verifying your state's current eligibility is a three-step process. First, check the table above for the state's current status. Second, check the MeitY online gaming registry for the latest notification. Third, check the contest platform's KYC flow — the platform will block deposit attempts from prohibited states automatically. If all three checks agree, the eligibility is verified.
Reading-desk letters: [email protected]. Self-exclusion: MeitY online gaming portal. Gambling support: iCall 9152987821.
How to read the PROG Act 2025
The PROG Act 2025 is published on the MeitY website. The Act distinguishes between games of skill and games of chance. Fantasy cricket is classified as a game of skill under most judicial precedent, but the Act leaves state-level prohibition in place for states that have notified a contrary position. Reading the Act's full text is the best way to read the national framework.
State-level notifications are published on the MeitY online gaming registry. The registry publishes state-by-state tables and a national self-exclusion registry. Verify the latest state-level notification before joining any paid contest.