The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 through a voice vote. The Bill aims to ban the offering, operation, facilitation, advertisement, promotion, and participation in online money games, targeting firms that provide fantasy sports and card games involving monetary deposits and risks.
Speaker Om Birla urged Members of Parliament to support the Bill in the national interest, while IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the cross-party consensus behind the legislation. “This is a good Bill. We are witnessing suicides and families being destroyed due to these platforms. Bringing such a Bill is necessary for the nation,” Mr. Birla stated.
Bill Seeks to Regulate and Promote E-Sports
According to the introduction, the lack of a proper legal framework has hindered the structured growth of the gaming sector and responsible gaming practices. The Bill also provides for the establishment of an authority to promote e-sports, which the government intends to develop as a creative and recreational industry.
At the same time, the Bill highlighted the rapid spread of online money games accessible via mobile and computer devices, which has led to social, financial, psychological, and public health concerns, especially among youth and economically weaker sections.
Government’s Stand and Industry Concerns
While presenting the Bill, Mr. Vaishnaw stressed that addiction to online money games has caused financial ruin for many individuals and could involve fraud due to algorithmic manipulation. He added that prohibition laws do not require public consultation and pointed out that the government has engaged with the gaming industry over the years.
However, legal experts warn that the legislation may face constitutional challenges over trade restrictions. Vidushpat Singhania, a gaming law specialist, said the Bill has surprised the industry, which was expecting a central regulatory framework instead of an outright ban. Still, Mr. Vaishnaw maintained that the legal team behind the Bill was confident it would withstand judicial scrutiny.