New Delhi: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today (August 21), just a day after the Lok Sabha cleared it in record time—within seven minutes of its introduction by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The landmark bill seeks to impose a blanket ban on online games involving real-money stakes, including fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and lotteries, citing growing concerns over addiction, financial fraud, and terror financing. At the same time, the legislation promotes esports, educational, and social games as skill-based activities. A new central regulatory authority under the Ministry of Electronics & IT will be established to oversee licensing, enforcement, and segregation of permissible and prohibited games. To ensure compliance, the bill prescribes tough penalties, including up to three years’ imprisonment or fines up to ₹1 crore for violators, and strict punishments for advertising banned games. While the government emphasizes the bill’s role in protecting minors and curbing fraud, industry stakeholders warn that the move could severely impact India’s booming real-money gaming sector, driving users to offshore platforms. Addressing these concerns, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan clarified that the crackdown is targeted only at money-based gaming, not esports, affirming the government’s commitment to supporting innovation and legitimate digital gaming.
