New Delhi, India – A new bill aimed at prohibiting and regulating online money gaming was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, even as opposition members continued to protest over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The legislative push comes as the government seeks to create a uniform national framework for the country’s fast-growing online gaming industry.
The “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025” seeks to draw a clear distinction between online money games and eSports or online social games. While it promotes the growth of eSports and social games, it proposes to prohibit and criminalize online money games and their advertisements. The bill includes provisions for imprisonment and/or fines for individuals or platforms that offer or advertise such services.
During the introduction of the bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari was invited by the chair to speak against it. However, Tewari declined, stating that the House should first hold a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar. RSP member N.K. Premchandran also refused to speak, arguing that the House was not in order due to the ongoing protests.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the opposition’s disruptions, noting that the conduct of the parliamentarians was now being mocked even by school students. The persistent protests led to P.C. Mohan, who was chairing the proceedings, adjourning the House until 2 p.m.
The bill, which was reportedly approved by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, makes offering, aiding, or advertising online money games a punishable offense. It also aims to prevent financial institutions from processing payments for these games. The move follows growing concerns over online gaming addiction, financial fraud, and data privacy risks. The government has stated that the legislation is necessary to address the fragmented regulatory landscape and to protect users, particularly the youth and other vulnerable groups, from social, economic, and psychological harms.