Following the Lok Sabha passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, on Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said online money gaming has become a bigger issue than drugs, adding that many youngsters have died by suicide after losing their savings in such games.
He, however, said the goal is to promote eSports, social gamin and make India a global game-development hub.
In an exclusive interview with ET Now, Vaishnaw said that there are three segments to the bill, including e-sports, online social gaming and online money gaming. "This bill aims to promote the first two segments wherein an authority will be created. There will be more schemes, employment and the creator economy grows," said the minister.
The third segment is where the harmful effect is visible in the society, wherein middle class families are losing their entire life's savings, Vaishnaw added. "That kind of harmful impact is what this bill tries to protect form. Even the World Health Organisation has given a clear gaming disorder which causes severe psychological issues in people who play online money games," he said.
Vaishnaw said that online money games are addictive and there is no way to predict algorithms. "There are many games where people win small amounts initially and later lose everything. The terms and conditions are such that once you give authorisation to deduct money from your credit card or or an account, it continues without checks.
He also highlighted that such games have cross-border issues, where the money goes outside the country. "There is also a money laundering angle in this, which causes significant harm to the society."
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aimed at establishing a legal framework for the fast-growing industry and introducing safeguards for players.
The legislation, introduced earlier in the day by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw amid Opposition protests, was cleared a day after the Cabinet approved it.
The Bill imposes a blanket ban on online games involving monetary stakes, citing addiction, financial losses and related suicides among youth as key concerns.
It prohibits all forms of online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, card games such as poker and rummy, and online lotteries. It also bans advertisements promoting such games and bars banks and financial institutions from processing or facilitating related transactions.
Under the law, an “online money game” is defined as one played by a user after depositing money with the expectation of monetary gain.
The government has clarified that esports and social games will remain permissible, with subscription-based access allowed but without the promise of financial returns.
Offering or facilitating such games will be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore, once the Bill clears both Houses of Parliament.
He, however, said the goal is to promote eSports, social gamin and make India a global game-development hub.
In an exclusive interview with ET Now, Vaishnaw said that there are three segments to the bill, including e-sports, online social gaming and online money gaming. "This bill aims to promote the first two segments wherein an authority will be created. There will be more schemes, employment and the creator economy grows," said the minister.
The third segment is where the harmful effect is visible in the society, wherein middle class families are losing their entire life's savings, Vaishnaw added. "That kind of harmful impact is what this bill tries to protect form. Even the World Health Organisation has given a clear gaming disorder which causes severe psychological issues in people who play online money games," he said.
Vaishnaw said that online money games are addictive and there is no way to predict algorithms. "There are many games where people win small amounts initially and later lose everything. The terms and conditions are such that once you give authorisation to deduct money from your credit card or or an account, it continues without checks.
He also highlighted that such games have cross-border issues, where the money goes outside the country. "There is also a money laundering angle in this, which causes significant harm to the society."
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aimed at establishing a legal framework for the fast-growing industry and introducing safeguards for players.
The legislation, introduced earlier in the day by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw amid Opposition protests, was cleared a day after the Cabinet approved it.
The Bill imposes a blanket ban on online games involving monetary stakes, citing addiction, financial losses and related suicides among youth as key concerns.
It prohibits all forms of online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, card games such as poker and rummy, and online lotteries. It also bans advertisements promoting such games and bars banks and financial institutions from processing or facilitating related transactions.
Under the law, an “online money game” is defined as one played by a user after depositing money with the expectation of monetary gain.
The government has clarified that esports and social games will remain permissible, with subscription-based access allowed but without the promise of financial returns.
Offering or facilitating such games will be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore, once the Bill clears both Houses of Parliament.
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