WPT Global, the Last Major Holdout in India Online Poker, Expected to Exit Market

India’s online poker landscape is about to lose its last major international operator. WPT Global, the poker arm of the World Poker Tour brand, is widely expected to exit the Indian market, according to industry sources. The move would mark the end of an era, as WPT Global had been the most visible foreign-owned platform still accepting Indian players.

The potential departure comes amid a broader contraction in India’s online real-money gaming sector. Over the past two years, several international poker operators have folded their India operations, citing an increasingly hostile regulatory environment and punitive tax measures. In 2023, the Indian government imposed a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the full deposit amount for online games of skill, including poker, rather than on the platform’s net revenue. This tax—applicable retrospectively—created severe financial strain for operators, many of whom struggled to remain viable.

WPT Global entered the Indian market in 2022, leveraging the World Poker Tour brand’s global recognition. The platform offered Indian players access to international tournament series and cash games, skirting some local restrictions by operating under a license from the remote gambling authority of another jurisdiction. For a time, it was the last major option for Indian players seeking a foreign-operated, globally connected poker room.

The expected exit follows similar moves by other well-known brands. Earlier in 2024, PokerStars and partypoker had already ceased offering real-money poker in India, while domestic Indian platforms like Adda52 and Spartan Poker continue to operate under local licenses, though they face their own tax burdens. WPT Global’s withdrawal would leave a void for players who preferred the liquidity and prestige of an international network.

Industry analysts point to two primary factors behind the decision: the 28% GST on deposits, which makes profitability nearly impossible for operators with typical margins, and the lack of a clear, stable regulatory framework. Although India’s Supreme Court has historically ruled that poker is a skill game, state-level laws vary, and the central government’s tax policy has created a de facto ban on many international operators.

For existing WPT Global players in India, the pending exit raises questions about fund withdrawals and tournament schedules. Typically, when an operator leaves a market, players are given a grace period to cash out their balances. WPT Global has not yet issued an official statement regarding the timeline or process, but industry insiders suggest a gradual wind-down is likely.

The Indian poker community, once vibrant with multiple international options, is now largely reliant on domestic platforms. Some players have turned to peer-to-peer on other global sites that still accept Indian users indirectly, but the pool size and reliability remain concerns.

WPT Global’s potential departure underscores the broader challenges facing online poker in India. While the skill-game designation offers some legal cover, the 28% GST remains a major deterrent. Unless the tax regime is revised, international operators are unlikely to return, and local operators may continue to consolidate. For now, the future of India’s online poker ecosystem appears to hinge on domestic solutions and possible regulatory reforms.

Disclaimer: This article is based on industry reports and general knowledge. Specific dates, player counts, or internal decisions are not independently confirmed.