Indian Parliament passes ban on online money games
New Bill aims to curb financial fraud and addiction, but industry warns of massive job losses.
Key points:
– Parliament passes Bill banning all real-money online games and their promotion
– Offenders face up to three years in prison or fines of up to RS 1 crore (US$120,000)
– Esports and educational games remain legal and supported
India’s Parliament has approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all forms of online gaming involving real money. The Bill passed through the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, just a day after clearing the Lok Sabha, amid vocal protests from opposition lawmakers.
As reported by The Economic Times, the legislation prohibits the operation, advertisement and financial facilitation of online money games. This includes popular formats such as fantasy sports, poker, rummy and online lotteries. Financial institutions and e-wallet providers are now barred from processing transactions related to these platforms.
The government has defended the move as a necessary step to protect the public from the risks of addiction, fraud and exploitation. Officials estimate that over 45 crore people lose close to RS 20,000 crore annually through such platforms.
S Krishnan, secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said the Bill aims to distinguish between innovation and harmful practices. “Esports, educational games and socially constructive formats will continue to receive government support,” he said, noting initiatives like the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and AVGC Centres of Excellence.
Good to know: The online money gaming sector in India is valued at around RS 2 lakh crore, with RS 31,000 crore in annual revenue and RS 20,000 crore in taxes
The gaming industry has reacted strongly, warning that the Bill could lead to over 200,000 job losses, the closure of 400 companies and significant setbacks to India’s ambitions as a global gaming hub.
Once enacted, violators face imprisonment of up to three years and/or fines of up to RS 1 crore.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
