New Delhi | August 21, 2025 – The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aimed at drawing a clear line between real-money gaming and regulated e-sports. The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill earlier this week, completing its passage in Parliament.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Ban on Real-Money Gaming: Any online game involving deposits, betting, or monetary stakes—whether skill-based or chance-based—is prohibited.
- Penalties: Violators face up to three years of imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore. Advertising real-money gaming platforms will also attract strict penalties.
- National e-Sports Authority: The bill establishes a regulatory body to oversee and promote e-sports, casual, and educational gaming across the country.
- Uniform Regulation: States will no longer frame separate policies for online gaming; the bill provides a nationwide framework.
Minister’s Statement
Introducing the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said:
“This legislation will protect Indian families from the harmful impact of real-money gambling, while at the same time giving a boost to India’s e-sports and innovation ecosystem. We are setting clear rules that promote safe, responsible, and skill-based digital entertainment.”
Context
India’s online gaming sector has been one of the fastest-growing digital markets. However, concerns over addiction, financial losses, and unregulated betting triggered calls for stronger oversight. The government has positioned the bill as a way to safeguard users, curb gambling practices, and promote ethical gaming alternatives.
With this legislation, real-money gaming platforms will be illegal, while e-sports and non-monetised games will operate under official regulation for the first time.
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