Entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal has sharply criticised the government’s decision to ban real-money gaming, arguing that the move has crippled a promising sector and risks driving the industry underground.

In a recent LinkedIn post, the Shaadi.com founder said the ban effectively dismantled an industry that was contributing over ₹27,000 crore annually in GST revenue, generating more than ₹10,000 crore in advertising income, and creating thousands of legitimate jobs in games of skill.

Mittal acknowledged the government’s concerns over addiction and financial losses faced by players but questioned whether outright prohibition was the right approach. Drawing parallels, he remarked: “We banned gutka but have people stopped chewing? Do we ban alcohol because some become alcoholics? Even stock trading isn’t banned despite the fact that some people lose everything.”

According to him, bans typically result in three outcomes — loss of government revenue, loss of user protections, and a flourishing black market. Citing reports, he claimed that India already has an illegal gaming market worth ₹8.3 lakh crore.

While conceding that the ban may appear to be a short-term win, Mittal warned that in the long run it could prevent India from building a globally competitive gaming industry. “Right now it looks like moral policing dressed up as policy,” he wrote, adding, “Hope we’re not trying to out-ban China.”

Mittal’s Recent Commentary

The entrepreneur has been outspoken on wider economic issues as well. Earlier this month, he noted that India, after decades of “colonial hangover,” has emerged as a significant force in the global economy. He highlighted how Indians are not only shaping India’s growth story but also contributing to the US economy, stating that the country is now in a position to engage with the world on its own terms.

At the same time, he cautioned against India’s uncritical adoption of Western deep-tech narratives, particularly the hype around artificial intelligence, warning that the country must strike a balance between innovation and grounded policymaking.

https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:7364168493270761495

Read More: How Capital Gains Account Scheme Helped a Hyderabad Seller Save Over ₹10 Lakh in Taxes