New Delhi, India – The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a new bill aimed at prohibiting and regulating online gaming, specifically targeting games played with real money. The “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025,” which was introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, was passed by a voice vote even as opposition members continued to protest in the lower house. The bill’s passage led to the adjournment of the house for the day.
The legislation is a significant move by the government to address growing concerns over gambling addiction, financial fraud, and money laundering associated with online gaming platforms. According to the bill’s provisions, it will now be a punishable offense to offer, operate, or facilitate any online money game, regardless of whether the game is based on skill or chance.
A key provision of the bill also seeks to prohibit all forms of advertising related to online money games. It further bars banks and other financial institutions from processing or transferring funds for such games, effectively cutting off their financial lifelines.
The new law also draws a clear distinction between online money games and other forms of digital entertainment. While it aims to ban real-money gaming, it simultaneously seeks to promote and regulate the burgeoning eSports and online social gaming sectors, which do not involve monetary stakes. The government has stated that the law is designed to protect citizens, especially the youth, from the harmful effects of predatory online gaming apps.
The bill’s introduction and swift passage have been met with a mix of reactions. While proponents argue that the legislation is a necessary step to curb social and financial risks, the online gaming industry has warned that the blanket ban could lead to significant job losses, stifle innovation, and drive users toward unregulated, illegal offshore gambling platforms.