NEW DELHI: A day after being cleared in the Lok Sabha, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday amid uproar and without debate.
The bill, introduced by Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeks to ban all online money games while encouraging eSports and social gaming. It also prohibits advertisements for money-based games and bars banks and financial institutions from processing payments related to them. The bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law.
Industry representatives have criticised the new Online Gaming Bill, 2025, saying the biggest issue is the government’s disregard for due process and the speed with which the law was passed in Parliament. Companies are now urging the government to provide a reasonable transition period, allowing them time to repurpose investments into permitted areas and adapt to the new rules. The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) have written to Home Minister Amit Shah, warning that the Online Gaming Bill, 2025 could severely damage the country’s online skill gaming industry.
They highlighted that the sector is currently valued at over ₹2 lakh crore, generates ₹31,000 crore in annual revenues, and contributes more than ₹20,000 crore in taxes each year. The industry is also projected to double by 2028, growing at about 20% annually.
Industry bodies said the sudden ban puts jobs, investments, and future growth at risk. Many companies are also considering legal action against the government’s decision.
The government said the law is needed due to rising cases of addiction, financial losses, and suicides among the youth. The ban covers all forms of online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, poker, rummy, and online lotteries. Under the law, an “online money game” is defined as one played by depositing money with the expectation of financial gain. Offering or facilitating such games will attract up to three years in jail or a fine of ₹1 crore. eSports and social games will remain allowed, but only on a subscription basis and without cash rewards.