New Delhi, Aug 20: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, paving the way for a comprehensive regulatory framework for India’s rapidly growing online gaming industry.
The Bill, tabled by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeks to formally recognise e-sports and social or educational gaming, while imposing a blanket ban on money-based online games, citing risks of fraud, money laundering, terror funding, and mental health issues. It proposes strict penalties, including jail terms of up to three years and fines of up to ₹1 crore for repeat offenders.
A central regulatory authority will be established with an initial capital expenditure of ₹50 crore and annual recurring costs of ₹20 crore, to monitor compliance, draft policies, and encourage innovation. E-sports will receive government support through training academies, research centres, and technology platforms.
At the same time, the Bill outlaws advertisements, celebrity endorsements, and financial transactions linked to online money games. Financial intermediaries will be barred from facilitating such services, and offences are designated as cognizable and non-bailable. Authorities will also have powers to search, seize, and block errant platforms under provisions of the IT Act, 2000.
Vaishnaw, urging unanimous support, said the Bill balances innovation with social protection. “We want to support e-sports and casual games, but we must act against money games that devastate families and threaten national security,” he said.
The Bill, passed amid protests in the Lok Sabha, now awaits Rajya Sabha approval and Presidential assent before becoming law.
