New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a landmark legislation aimed at boosting e-sports and encouraging positive online social games, while imposing a complete ban on harmful money-based gaming activities.
The Bill seeks to balance innovation in India’s fast-growing digital gaming sector with safeguards to protect citizens, particularly the youth, from financial and social harm. Officials said it will provide a major push to e-sports by officially recognising it as a legitimate competitive sport.
Under the new framework, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will establish training academies, research centres and institutional support systems to nurture e-sports in the country. Online social games that encourage education, culture and skill development will also receive government backing.
At the same time, the legislation has taken a hard line against money-based online games such as betting, gambling, poker, rummy and fantasy sports involving real cash. The Bill not only bans such platforms but also prohibits advertisements, promotional activities and financial transactions connected to them. Banks and payment systems will be barred from processing any payments linked to these apps.
Authorities stressed that these measures are necessary to shield young people and families from the risks of debt, addiction and financial distress. The law also addresses wider national security concerns, as officials pointed out that online money gaming platforms have previously been misused for fraud, money laundering and even terror financing.
By outlawing such activities, the Bill aligns online restrictions with those already in place for physical gambling under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and various state laws.
A national-level Online Gaming Authority will be created to regulate the sector. It will categorise and register games, determine which qualify as money games, and handle citizen complaints. The authority will also issue guidelines to ensure safe and responsible gaming practices.
The Bill prescribes stringent penalties for violations. Offering or promoting online money gaming could attract imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore, with harsher punishment for repeat offenders. Companies involved in such activities will also be held liable.
Government officials underscored that the move is not limited to regulation but also aimed at creating opportunities. By promoting e-sports and safe social gaming, India hopes to emerge as a global hub for creative game development and exports, while safeguarding families from the psychological, financial and social harms associated with online betting and gambling.
With IANS inputs