LS nod to bill banning real-money gaming

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to ban the operating, facilitating and advertising of online games played with money, as the government looks to check rising instances of addiction, money laundering and financial fraud through such applications.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, introduced this noon, was passed without a debate as opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission.
Once the legislation is passed by both Houses of Parliament, offering or facilitating online money gaming will be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.
In his opening remarks, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government seeks to encourage e-sports and online social gaming and will set up an authority for the purpose.
He said online money gaming has become a matter of concern as such platforms have led to addiction and have also been used for fraud and cheating. The minister underlined that it has also led to financial losses to people.
Urging opposition members to participate in the discussion on the bill, Speaker Om Birla said online money gaming has ruined several families and damaged the future of youth.
He reminded the opposition that several MPs had in the past demanded a ban on such money gaming sites, but the protests continued. Amid the din, the bill was passed by a voice vote.
The House was then adjourned for the day amid sloganeering by the opposition.
The bill also seeks to prohibit advertisements related to online money games as well as bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for any of such games.
Online money game is one played by a user by depositing money in expectation of winning monetary and other enrichment. Union Minister Vaishnaw introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha.
The bill outlaws all online betting and gambling (satta and jua) activities — from online fantasy sports to online gambling (like Poker, Rummy and other Card games) and online lotteries.
Advertising of money games can attract imprisonment up to two years and/or a fine up to Rs 50 lakh. Facilitating financial transactions related to money games can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.