Between Our Revenue & Middle-Class Families, PM Chose Families: Vaishnaw on Gaming Bill
India, the land of diverse cultures and traditions, has always been a hub for exciting games and entertainment. With the advancement of technology, online gaming has become a new phenomenon, attracting millions of users worldwide. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and the need to regulate online gaming has become a pressing issue in the eyes of the government. In a move to tackle the problem of online gambling and real-money games, the Indian government has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill, introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some hailing it as a step in the right direction to protect the youth, while others have raised concerns about the impact on the gaming industry.
During the introduction of the bill, Vaishnaw made a pertinent remark, stating that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, always chooses to side with middle-class families when faced with a conflict between revenue and families. He highlighted the importance of balancing revenue and societal well-being, saying, “The Prime Minister always chooses the middle-class families. When he is required to choose between revenue and middle-class families, he chooses the middle-class families. This is the culture of our country and we will continue to stick to it.”
The bill, which is aimed at regulating online gaming and ensuring that it is free from the influence of bad elements, has been met with a mixed response from the online gaming community. While some have welcomed the move, citing the need to protect young players from online gambling and real-money games, others have raised concerns about the impact on the industry.
Gaming, as a form of entertainment, has become a significant contributor to India’s revenue, with a growing number of gamers and gaming companies based in the country. According to a report by the Indian Gaming League, the online gaming industry in India is expected to reach a value of $1 billion by 2025. With this in mind, the introduction of the bill has raised concerns about the potential impact on the industry, with some fearing that it may lead to a crackdown on online gaming and revenue losses for gaming companies.
The bill, which has been passed in the Lok Sabha, aims to regulate online gaming and ensure that it is free from the influence of bad elements. According to Vaishnaw, the bill has been introduced to “save the society from bad elements.” He further highlighted the need for regulation, saying, “Online gaming is a global issue and we cannot remain oblivious to it. We need to regulate it and make sure that it is done in a way that it does not harm our society.”
Despite the concerns raised by the online gaming community, the government has maintained that the bill is aimed at protecting the youth and ensuring that online gaming is done in a responsible and regulated manner. According to Vaishnaw, the bill will help to “youth and children from falling into the trap of online gambling and real-money games, and also protect the revenue of the government by ensuring that online gaming is done in a fair and transparent manner.”
The debate surrounding online gaming and its regulation has been ongoing for several years, with the government and gaming industry stakeholders regularly discussing the issue. While some have raised concerns about the potential impact on revenue and the gaming industry, others have highlighted the need for regulation to protect the youth and ensure that online gaming is done in a responsible and regulated manner.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha marks an important step in the government’s efforts to regulate online gaming and ensure that it is free from the influence of bad elements. While the bill has raised concerns about the impact on the online gaming industry, the government has maintained that it is aimed at protecting the youth and ensuring that online gaming is done in a responsible and regulated manner. Whether the bill will be successful in achieving its objectives remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the debate surrounding online gaming and regulation will continue to be an important issue in the eyes of the government and the public.
Source:
https://youtu.be/qOIqYpwYOi8
