The Lok Sabha has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, ushering in a new era for India’s digital entertainment sector. The Bill promotes e-sports and social gaming, while imposing a strict ban on harmful real money gaming platforms linked to addiction, financial distress, and suicides.
The legislation creates a central regulatory framework and establishes an Online Gaming Authority to oversee the sector, support developers, and encourage safe innovation.
Under the Bill, online gaming is divided into three categories:
- E-sports: Professional, skill-based digital competitions.
- Social games: Recreational games without monetary rewards.
- Money games: Gambling-style platforms involving financial stakes (completely banned).
Violations of the ban on real money games will invite up to three years’ imprisonment or fines of ₹1 crore, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
The Bill was deemed essential due to the unregulated growth of money gaming apps, linked to 32 suicides in the last 31 months, financial fraud, money laundering, and even terror funding.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stressed that the law ensures a safe and responsible Digital India, balancing innovation with public welfare. Speaker Om Birla highlighted strong public demand for this reform, urging all parties to support its effective implementation.
