Parliament approves Online Gaming Regulation and Promotion Bill through a vocal tally
The Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament, has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The bill aims to curb rising instances of addiction, money laundering, and financial frauds associated with online gaming.
The bill outlaws all online betting and gambling activities, including online fantasy sports, online gambling (like Poker, Rummy, and other Card games), and online lotteries. It also makes online money gaming a punishable offence, with imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore for first offences. Repeated offences could attract 3-5 years' imprisonment and fines up to ₹2 crore.
The bill bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for any online money games. This move is expected to negatively impact the $3.8 billion Indian gaming industry, which has attracted global investors and fostered apps like Dream11, Games24X7, and Mobile Premier League.
The draft legislation seeks to prohibit advertisements related to online money games. The proposed legislation also recommends a regulator for e-sports, educational platforms, and social games, with the proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 providing for the appointment of a new Authority by the Central Government to function as the regulator.
The bill's passing took place amid a protest by the opposition. The Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, made brief remarks during the passing of the bill. Following the bill's passage, the house was adjourned for the day due to disruption by the opposition.
The passing of the bill is a significant step towards regulating the online gaming industry in India and ensuring that it operates in a fair, transparent, and responsible manner. However, the bill's impact on the industry and its consumers remains to be seen.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
