LOK SABHA PASSED THE ONLINE GAMING BILL
New Delhi, Aug 20, 2025 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill. The bill aims to promote e-sports and online social games, while completely banning online money games, their related services, advertisements and financial transactions. Introducing the bill, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the government's aim is to promote legal online gaming while protecting the society. He said that when it comes to choosing between society and government revenue, the Prime Minister always gives priority to the society and the interests of the society have never been compromised. The bill was passed by voice vote.
Vaishnav divided online gaming into three parts. The first is e-sports, which involves strategic thinking, teamwork and cultural exchange. The second is online social games like solitaire, chess and sudoku, which are considered educational and entertaining. The third part is online money games, which are a matter of serious concern for the society. The Union Minister said that many families have been ruined due to e-money games and cases of suicide have also come to light. These games have led to addiction, financial loss, fraud, money laundering and even terrorism.
However, the bill clarifies that no punishment will be given to people playing online money games. Only service providers, advertisers, promoters and financial partners will be prosecuted. Under this law, offering or operating online money games can lead to imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. Violations related to advertising will attract imprisonment of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. Repeated offenses will attract imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and a fine of up to Rs 2 crore. All major offenses will be cognizable and non-bailable.
In addition, the central government will give authorized officers the power to investigate, search and seize. In suspicious cases, officers will be able to enter, search and arrest without a warrant. The government believes that this law will give legitimate recognition and promotion to e-sports, while protecting society from the serious harm caused by online gambling and money games.