The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Indian Lok Sabha on August 20, 2025, by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The key objectives of the bill is to ban online money games while promoting legitimate sectors including e-Sports, educational games and social gaming.
The Bill proposes stringent punishments for online games involving monetary stakes, betting and gambling along with advertising and Banks conducting financial transactions.
Penalties under the Bill are as follows:
| Violation | First Offense | Repeat Offense |
|---|---|---|
| Operating money games | Up to 3 years jail + ₹1 crore fine | 3-5 years jail + ₹1-2 crore fine |
| Advertising money games | Up to 2 years jail + ₹50 lakh fine | 2-3 years jail + ₹50 lakh-1 crore fine |
| Financial facilitation | Up to 3 years jail + ₹1 crore fine | 3-5 years jail + ₹1-2 crore fine |
The also proposes to establishes central regulatory authority.
According to the Bill “online money game” means an online game, irrespective of whether such game is based on skill, chance, or both, played by a user by paying fees, depositing money or other stakes in expectation of winning which entails monetary and other enrichment in return of money or other stakes; but shall not include any e-sports.
This means that even a game of Rummy would now be covered under the Bill if there is monetary considerations attached. The offending websites are also liable to be blocked not withstanding any thing contained under Section 69A of the ITA 2000.
The introduction of the Bill is welcome given the adverse impact of online games on the youth.
The Bill is awaiting passage.
Copy of the Bill is available here:
Naavi
