Parliament Monsoon session Day 20 LIVE: Online gaming bill passed in Lok Sabha

PTC News Desk: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.

Explaining the purpose of the bill, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government aims to promote online social games and esports, while curbing the harmful effects of money-based gaming. He noted that money gaming has led to severe social distress, particularly affecting the middle class, and emphasized that the legislation is being introduced with social welfare in mind.

In his address, Vaishnaw highlighted how people often become addicted to money gaming, losing their life savings or falling victim to fraud, rigged algorithms, and cheating practices—sometimes even resulting in suicides. He also pointed out its links to money laundering and terror financing.

The bill, however, seeks to support non-monetary social games designed for entertainment, education, or skill development. Developers of such games may be registered and offered assistance, while educational institutions will be encouraged to include these games in extracurricular activities to familiarize students with digital tools in a structured way.

The legislation takes a strict stance against online money games, defined as platforms where users wager money or valuables for the chance to win cash rewards. These are now completely banned in India, including their operation, advertising, and promotion.

Financial institutions and payment intermediaries are prohibited from processing transactions linked to such platforms. Penalties are stringent: operating them could result in up to three years in jail or fines of up to ₹1 crore; advertising them could attract two years’ imprisonment or fines of ₹50 lakh. Payment facilitators face similar punishments, with repeat violations inviting harsher consequences. In cases involving companies, both management and officials will be held responsible.