Online Gaming Bill, which bans real-money and gambling games, passed in Lok Sabha
The Indian government has taken a significant step towards regulating the online gaming industry by passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill, which was introduced in the parliament earlier this year, aims to ban online games that involve real-money transactions and gambling.
The bill was passed with a voice vote, and it is expected to come into effect once it is signed by the President of India. The new law proposes a fine of up to ₹1 crore or a three-year jail term for those who offer online games that involve real-money transactions and gambling.
The bill also proposes up to two years of imprisonment for advertising real-money games. This move is expected to curb the growing problem of online gambling in the country and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children and youth, from the dangers of gambling.
The bill defines online gaming as a “game of skill” if it requires “a high degree of skill, strategy, and judgment” to win, while games that involve “purely by chance or luck” are classified as “games of chance”. The bill also empowers the government to designate certain games as “games of skill” or “games of chance” as per their discretion.
The bill also proposes to establish a regulator, the Online Gaming Regulatory Authority, which will be responsible for regulating the online gaming industry. The regulator will be empowered to issue licenses to online gaming platforms, monitor their activities, and take action against those who violate the law.
The bill also proposes to create a separate fund to promote and develop the online gaming industry, which will be used to support the development of new games, provide training to gamers, and promote the industry as a whole.
The passage of the bill is seen as a major step towards regulating the online gaming industry in India, which has been growing rapidly in recent years. The industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with many international gaming companies setting up operations in the country.
However, the growth of the industry has also raised concerns about the potential risks and dangers associated with online gaming. There have been reports of online gaming addiction, cyberbullying, and fraud in the industry, which have raised concerns about the need for regulation.
The bill is seen as a major step towards addressing these concerns and protecting the interests of gamers, game developers, and the government. The bill will also help to promote the growth of the online gaming industry in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The passage of the bill is also seen as a major step towards achieving the government’s objective of promoting the digital economy and creating jobs in the country. The online gaming industry has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the country, and the bill will help to promote the growth of the industry in a responsible and sustainable manner.
In conclusion, the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha is a major step towards regulating the online gaming industry in India. The bill proposes to ban online games that involve real-money transactions and gambling, and imposes a fine of up to ₹1 crore or a three-year jail term for those who offer such games. The bill also proposes to establish a regulator to monitor the activities of online gaming platforms and take action against those who violate the law.
The bill is expected to come into effect once it is signed by the President of India, and it is expected to have a major impact on the online gaming industry in the country. The bill will help to promote the growth of the industry in a responsible and sustainable manner, and it will help to protect the interests of gamers, game developers, and the government.
