Rajya Sabha Approves Promotion And Regulation Of Online Gaming Bill, 2025

The Rajya Sabha has approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. This decision follows its passage in the Lok Sabha. The legislation aims to ban online games involving money to tackle addiction, financial fraud, and related issues. It also prohibits advertising these games and restricts banks from processing transactions for them. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefly commented before the Bill's approval.

The government emphasises that the Bill serves society's 'greater good.' A PTI report indicates that around 45 crore individuals lose nearly Rs 20,000 crore annually through online real money gaming. However, industry experts warn that banning all real money games could result in over two lakh job losses and shut down 400 companies, impacting India's digital innovation.

Impact on India's Gaming Industry

Industry bodies express concern over the potential negative impact on a sector valued at ₹2 lakh crore. With ₹31,000 crore in revenue and ₹20,000 crore in taxes at stake, they fear the law could be detrimental. S Krishnan from MeitY stated that the government's approach is to balance innovation with regulation.

Krishnan highlighted India's potential as a global gaming hub with thriving developers and creators. The focus is on promoting esports and online social games while addressing concerns about online money gaming. These games often involve staking money with uncertain outcomes, posing risks like addiction and money laundering.

Encouraging Legitimate Gaming

The new law aims to distinguish harmful practices from genuine gaming innovation. Krishnan said, "Our position is clear: we are drawing a line between promoting innovation and esports on one side and regulating exploitative money gaming on the other." The goal is to protect people while enhancing India's gaming ecosystem.

Esports and recognised formats will continue receiving support. Games like chess fall under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The government promotes animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics through initiatives like the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai.

Regulations on Money Games

The Bill outlaws any online game where users deposit money expecting rewards. This includes fantasy sports, card games like poker and rummy, online lotteries, and gambling platforms. Once both Houses of Parliament approve it, facilitating such games could lead to imprisonment up to three years or fines up to ₹1 crore.

The restrictions target only harmful money games while supporting esports and creative gaming sectors. Krishnan reiterated that regular online gaming isn't problematic; instead, it's encouraged alongside esports development.