The Union Government has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to establish a comprehensive legal framework for India's fast-growing online gaming industry.
The Bill seeks to promote e-sports, educational and social games, while placing a complete ban on online money games-those involving betting, wagering or monetary stakes. It proposes the creation of a dedicated Online Gaming Authority to regulate the sector, encourage innovation, and ensure consumer protection.
Key highlights of the Bill include
- Ban on Online Money Games: Offering, facilitating, or advertising such games will attract imprisonment up to three years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore.
- Promotion of E-Sports: Recognised as legitimate competitive sports, e-sports will be integrated into India's sporting ecosystem with dedicated training academies and research centres.
- Regulation of Social Games: Casual and educational games will be encouraged under strict age-appropriate and safety guidelines.
- Financial Safeguards: Banks and payment systems will be barred from processing transactions related to money gaming platforms.
- Strong Enforcement: Offences under the Bill are cognisable and non-bailable, with provisions for search, seizure, and blocking of non-compliant platforms.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the Bill balances economic growth, innovation and employment generation in the online gaming industry while protecting youth and vulnerable groups from the risks of addiction, fraud, and financial exploitation.
If enacted, the Bill would mark a turning point for India's gaming sector, fostering responsible innovation while shutting down exploitative money gaming platforms.
Official copy of the Bill has been attached
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