Recently, the Taliban government in Afghanistan suspended chess over concerns it may promote gambling, stating the ban will remain in effect until its alignment with Islamic law is reviewed. Chess now joins a growing list of sports and recreational activities restricted under the Taliban regime, which has steadily imposed stringent religious rules since regaining power in August 2021.
While the Taliban’s ban has reignited age-old questions about whether chess encourages gambling, elsewhere in the world, the game is taking on a new life. From India to Southeast Asia and across Europe, chess is thriving — evolving into a fast-growing digital pastime with real-money stakes. Real-money gaming platforms like MPL, WinZO, and Stake.com are turning this centuries-old game of intellect into a monetisable, competitive, and digital-first format.
Online chess is also gaining recognition as an esport, thanks to platforms like Chess.com and streaming services such as Twitch, which have brought the game to millions of viewers worldwide. Competitive chess will make its debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, taking place from 31 July to 3 August, with a prize pool of $1.5 million. This marks a big change in how people see chess today. For the first time, grandmasters will play as part of esports teams, and their performance will help their team’s overall score.
To better understand the evolution of chess in the online real-money space, SiGMA World spoke exclusively with iGaming expert Gourav Pilania, who shared insights on the regulatory outlook, growth potential, and whether chess can emerge as the next major vertical in the global skill-gaming ecosystem.
SiGMA World: When real money is at stake, is online chess a skill game, gambling, or something in between?
iGaming expert Gourav Pilania: It’s firmly a skill game. Think of it as poker with a centuries-old pedigree rather than roulette in disguise. Chess outcomes depend on preparation, strategy, and psychology, not luck. That said, when cash is involved, it borrows some trappings of gambling: you commit risk, you win or lose. But unlike slot machines, chess rewards ability, not chance.
In fact, chess is legally recognised as a game of skill in several jurisdictions, including India, where skill-based games are treated differently from games of chance. As per a 2021 ruling by the Indian Supreme Court, games requiring substantial skill, like rummy and, by extension, chess, are not gambling under Indian law.
SiGMA World: Do cash-prize, pay-to-enter chess events risk falling under gambling laws?
Pilania: Absolutely, especially if entry fees and prizes cross thresholds defined by regulators. If participants pay to play for certifiable winnings, regulators may classify it as betting. That said, countries that recognise games of skill offer carve-outs. India, for example, differentiates between games of chance and skill.
However, state-wise rulings often override national clarity. As cash prize pools rise, like MPL’s ₹1 crore tournaments, the legal line becomes thinner. Recent 2025 developments in Maharashtra show a potential shift toward more lenient interpretations for skill-based games.
SiGMA World: Are iGaming firms treating chess as the next real-money vertical?
Pilania: Definitely, they’re already moving. Stake.com, MPL, and WinZO are running chess tournaments with real stakes. MPL alone clocked 90 million+ downloads globally and reported revenue of $88M in FY24, with a dedicated user base in chess, carrom, and card games.
Betby, a leading B2B sportsbook provider, even brought Magnus Carlsen to their ICE Barcelona stand to show how chess can enhance betting frameworks with predictive models and skill analysis. In 2025, they have expanded their offerings to incorporate more AI-driven chess analytics, pushing the boundaries of engagement. So yes, chess is no longer a side bet—it’s fast becoming a featured vertical.
SiGMA World: Could chess grow the way fantasy sports and other skill-for-cash games did?
Pilania: It has prime conditions: global recognition, easy streaming formats, viral appeal. The post-COVID boom, helped by Queen’s Gambit and platforms like Twitch and TikTok, silenced the skeptics. Chess.com alone grew from 20 million users in 2020 to over 200 million this April.
More importantly, the numbers speak for themselves. The global chess market was valued at $3.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $7.64 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of nearly 11%. This includes monetisation through platforms, online tournaments, coaching, and digital products.
Fantasy sports in India, by comparison, grew from a $150 million industry in 2016 to over $3.4 billion by 2023. If chess follows a similar engagement-to-monetisation arc with gamified tournaments, influencer-driven play, and regulated entry, it could absolutely chart that same course. In 2025, additional partnerships with tech firms have enhanced gamification features, driving further user engagement.
SiGMA World: With MPL, WinZO, and Stake.com already paying out on chess, will this space keep expanding?
Pilania: Yes, I believe there’s solid momentum. WinZO, which has over 200 million registered users, reported a 70% year-over-year growth in FY24, clocking ₹1,055 crore in revenue ($130 million). MPL also doubled down on skill-based games including chess, carrom, and ludo. Stake.com is targeting crypto-savvy players through strategic content partnerships and streamers.
These platforms aren’t just testing the waters—they’re building ecosystems around chess. In 2025, they’ve integrated more advanced mobile-first interfaces and cross-platform compatibility, which is making it even more mainstream.
SiGMA World: In India, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia, how might regulators react to cash chess?
Pilania: Expect mixed reactions. India has dynamic state-by-state laws – some states like Karnataka have attempted to ban real-money gaming, while others are more welcoming to skill-based formats.
The Philippines has historically embraced online gaming through its PAGCOR licensing but applies strict compliance norms. Southeast Asia as a region is quick to impose controls where real-money play is involved.
Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have restrictive frameworks, while Vietnam and Thailand are moving toward skill-based licensing zones. In 2025, Vietnam’s new regulations have started to shape a more cohesive rule set for skill-based gaming.
SiGMA World: Can chess betting gain cultural acceptance in Asia, or will it face the same pushback as poker and rummy?
Pilania: It’ll depend on positioning. Poker and rummy suffered reputational issues tied to addiction and a culture of luck. But chess has an aura—it’s intellectual, educational, and generational. In India alone, the game is deeply respected due to legends like Viswanathan Anand and rising stars like R. Praggnanandhaa and D. Gukesh.
With visible ambassadors like Carlsen and platforms framing chess as “e-sport meets strategy,” it has a real shot at cultural acceptance, especially if betting is introduced as a competitive, viewer-supported engagement rather than a blind punt. Notably, in 2025, a series of high-profile tournaments supported by international schools has bolstered chess’s educational reputation.
SiGMA World: Over the next few years, will chess betting stay niche or turn mainstream?
Pilania: My money’s on growth. It’ll start niche—high-stakes tournaments, crypto addicts, hardcore fans—but with the right mix of streaming, casual play, and low-stakes engagement, it can tip mainstream. Chess.com’s events already draw millions of concurrent viewers.
If we see live chess shows, fantasy formats, integrated betting markets (much like how Bet365 evolved for cricket), and responsible entry rules, chess could break into the cultural mainstream like fantasy sports did between 2016–2022. It won’t happen overnight, but the groundwork is clearly being laid. In 2025, collaborations with popular content creators on platforms like YouTube and TikTok have further accelerated this trend.
Legal perspective: Chess as a skill game in Europe
SiGMA World also spoke with Antti Koivula, Legal Advisor at Legal Gaming Attorneys at Law, who recently attended the iGaming World Chess Championships, to understand how real-money online chess is typically classified under European gaming laws.
He said, “In general, chess is classified as a game of skill and therefore falls outside the scope of gambling regulation. For example, in Finland—where the legal definition of gambling is particularly broad—chess and certain other purely skill-based games have been explicitly excluded from the scope of gambling legislation.”
He added that legal classification may shift depending on how the game is implemented, “That said, numerous chess variants exist, and new innovations continue to emerge around the game—for example, monetised chess platforms. These can blur the line between a purely skill-based activity and gambling. This has a direct impact on legal classification, particularly if the element of chance is increased. In such cases, a new variant, implementation method, or other innovation could potentially cause the game to be classified as gambling in some jurisdictions.”
When asked whether regulatory scrutiny is increasing in Europe, Koivula said, “I don’t believe monetised chess platforms will attract any special or disproportionate regulatory attention. Rather, they will be assessed under the same criteria as any other monetised game platforms, with existing legal standards applied accordingly. Ultimately, the devil is in the details—and it is those specific details that will determine how a platform is classified under the law.”
