In a landmark move, Parliament has passed The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all forms of real-money online games including betting, gambling, fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and online lotteries. The Lok Sabha cleared the Bill, and the Rajya Sabha later passed it through a voice vote, despite intense Opposition protests over the lack of detailed discussion.
The legislation, tabled by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to address the growing concern of online gaming addiction, which the government has compared to “drug addiction.” The minister emphasized that powerful lobbies behind these platforms may challenge the ban, but the move was necessary to protect society from the destructive effects of money-gaming.
Under the Bill, offering, operating, facilitating, or even advertising online money games will now attract strict penalties. Offenders can face up to three years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore. Repeat violations may lead to enhanced punishments, including five years in prison and fines up to ₹2 crore. Additionally, advertisements of money games can result in a penalty of ₹50 lakh and up to two years in jail.
The law also bars banks and financial institutions from transferring or facilitating funds for these games, effectively choking financial support for such platforms. Importantly, the Bill distinguishes between real-money games and eSports/social gaming, with the latter being encouraged for their recreational and creative value.
Opposition parties strongly objected that the Bill passed without debate, but Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defended it as a measure in the ‘national interest,’ citing rising suicides and financial distress linked to online gambling.
With this legislation, India has taken a tough stance against online money-gaming platforms, prioritizing public welfare while promoting responsible and skill-based eSports.