The Lok Sabha on Wednsday Clered The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, A Landmark Move that seeks to Bring Sweeping Changes to India’s Online Gaming EcoSystem. The bill aims to regulate e-sports, educational and social gaming while imposing a blanket ban on online money games that involve monetary stakes. Approved by the cabinet a day earlier, the bill was tabled by it minister ashwini vaishnaw. It will be debated in the Rajya Sabha and, Once it secures presidential assenth, become law.
Ashwini Vaishnaw Laid The Bill and Said, “The Digital and Online EcoSystem has grown exponationally in India. There are different types of online games Such as Casual Games and ESPORTS who And entertaining. Hazards Linked to Online Money Gaming.
Vaishnaw said, “The Government Wants to Support Esports and Casual Games.
The bill was tabled for discussion and amid song protests, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha.
A Central Regulatory Authority has been proposed under the legislation to oversee compliance, support policy formulation, and encourage innovation in the gaming sector. According to the Financial Memorandum, The Authority will be set up with an Initial Capital Expenditure of Around ₹ 50 and Annual Recurring Cost of ₹ 20 Crore, Drawn from the Consolidated Fund of Indian.
The Bill Formally recognies e-sports as a legitimate competition and outlines government support for training academies, research centers, research centers, and technology platforms to Fuel Its Growlth. Social and Educational Games will also be promoted, with safeguards to ensure age-spropriate content and integration into skill development and learning initiatives.
At the same time, the legislation takes a strict stand against money-based online games. If passed, it will outlaw advertisements Across Television, Print, Digital Platforms, and Influencer or Celebrity Endorsements that Promote Such Games. Penalties for Violations include imprisonment of up to two years, fines of up to ₹ 50 lakh, or both. REPEAT Offense Could Invite Stricter Punishment – Up to Three Years in Jail and Fines Reaching ₹ 1 Crore.
The Bill Makes It Clear: “Any person who makes or causes to make advertisement in any media, in connection of section 6, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may experts Which may extend to fifty Lakh Rupees or with Both. “
Further, Financial Institutions and Intermediates will be barred from facilitating transactions for money-gaming services. Offense in this category are designated as cognizable and non-bailable.
The government has justified the ban by citing concerns over fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and links to terrrorist Financing Through outshore Gaming Platforms. The statement of objects and reasons highlights the manipulative algorithms and addictive design features of such games, which often lead to compulsive behavior, financial Losses, and Mental Hellers, and Mental Help Mental Losses, Especially Among Youth and Vulnerable Populations.
The Bill also also grants investigative powerrs to design authorities, allow them to search, search, and block operations of money-graaming platforms, both posical and digital, digital. Non-Compliant Platforms Could Be Blocked under Provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
With Presidential Recommendation Secure Article 117 of the Constitution, The Bill is Slated for Detailed Discussion in Both Houses of Parliament. If enacted, it will mark a Major Policy Shift-Positioning India as a Potential Global Leader in Regulated Online Gaming, while decisively shutting down avenues for moneyy-bed gaming.