Breaking: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, Passed by Rajya Sabha
On Wednesday (August 20, 2025), Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, even after the Opposition protested against it. This new law is meant to support and control the online gaming industry. The response to the law has been mixed; the esports industry is satisfied with the new law; however, the real money gaming industry is worried because the law could badly affect their business, which is worth billions of dollars.
Through this new rule, the government is trying to completely stop online gambling or any kind of real-money gaming from every possible angle: creating, promoting, and paying for it. It is a strict law meant to protect people from getting involved in gambling-like activities online.
The Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, claimed this bill as a measure to protect the youth and middle-class families from the growing danger of online money gaming. According to the reports by the media, till now approximately 45 crore individuals have been adversely affected by online gaming, and the total loss is estimated to be around Rs. 20,000 crore.
Companies including Dream11, Games24x7, Winzo, GamesKraft, 99Games, KheloFantasy, and My11Circle have altogether created India’s most dynamic consumer-tech sectors and have, over time, attracted major foreign investments into the country. The industry holds over 2 lakh professionals in high-skill roles, including engineering, product development, marketing, and operations.
Government officials warned that the ban could lead to huge job losses and might also make investors lose trust in India’s overall digital economy. They added that the gaming industry pays nearly Rs. 20,000 crore in taxes every year.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, has affected the online gaming industry in the following manner. Through these three ways, the government is creating a full legal ban on online money gaming.
1. Total Ban on Offering Online Money Games:
- No one is allowed to offer or run online games where people can win or lose real money. Also, no one can help or support others in offering such games in any way. This includes encouraging people, helping set up the games, or being involved in offering them.
2. Ban on Advertisements of Online Money Games:
- No one is allowed to create or spread advertisements for online money games. This includes all types of media: TV, internet, social media, or any electronic method. Even if the ad does not directly say “play this game for money” but tries to convince or attract people to play these kinds of games, it is not allowed.
3. Ban on Money Transactions for Online Money Games:
- Banks, financial companies, and even individuals are not allowed to help send or receive money for online money games. This includes making payments, transferring funds, or approving payments that are meant for online money gaming.
Section 5 – Complete BAN: No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money games and online money gaming service.