The central government presented the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 — commonly known as the Online Gaming Bill — in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, on Wednesday. The development comes a day after the Union Cabinet gave the nod to the Bill.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the proposed law is set to “boost innovation” while “protecting citizens”. 

The rise of digital technologies in the country has delivered immense benefits to citizens, but also led to the emergence of new risks, making it equally important to ensure that the society is protected from potential harms of technology misuse, according to the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The Bill seeks “to encourage the positive aspects of technology while protecting society from the adverse impacts of online money games”, it noted. 

Here’s a quick take on some of the key points highlighted by the ministry:  

• The bill encourages e-sports and online social games
• It prohibits harmful online money gaming services, ads and related financial transactions
• It 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
• It is to protect youth from predatory online real money gaming apps
• The Centre believes that the harms of addiction, financial losses and even extreme consequences such as suicides can be prevented by prohibition of such activities
• Online money gaming platforms are often misused for financial fraud, money laundering, terror financing and messaging activities; these elements threaten national security
• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sportswill will set up a dedicated framework for promoting e-sports
• MeitY and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) will extend support to online games that foster educational and cultural values, skill development and social engagement 

Here’s a summary of key provisions under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025:

• 1. Promotion and Recognition of e-ports
  • o e-sports recognised as a legitimate form of competitive sport in India.
  • o Ministry of Sports to frame guidelines and standards for conduct of e-sports events.
  • o Establishment of training academies, research centres, and technology platforms for advancement of e-sports.
  • o Incentive schemes, awareness campaigns and integration of e-sports into broader sports policy initiatives.

2. Promotion of Social and Educational Games

o Central Government empowered to recognise, categorise, and register online social games.

o Facilitation of platforms for development and distribution of safe, age-appropriate social and educational games.

o Awareness programmes on the positive role of social games in recreation, skill-development and digital literacy.

o Support for cultural and educational gaming content aligned with Indian values.

3. Prohibition of Harmful Online Money Games

o Complete ban on offering, operating, or facilitating online money games, irrespective of whether based on skill, chance, or both.

o Ban on advertising and promotion of money games across all forms of media.

o Ban on financial transactions linked to online money games; banks and payment systems barred from processing such payments.

o Empowerment to block access to unlawful gaming platforms under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

4. Establishment of an Online Gaming Authority

o Central Government to establish a national-level Authorityor designate any existing Authority or Authorities or any agencyfor oversight.

o Functions include:

 Categorisation and registration of online games.

 Determination of whether a game qualifies as a money game.

 Handling complaints and grievances related to online games.

o Authority to issue guidelines, orders, and codes of practice to ensure compliance.

5. Offences and Penalties

o Offering or facilitating online money gaming: Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹1 crore.

o Advertising money games: Imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to ₹50 lakh.

o Financial transactions related to money games: Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹1 crore.

o Repeat offences attract enhanced penalties, including imprisonment of 3–5 years and fines up to ₹2 crore.

o Offences under key sections to be cognizable and non-bailable.

6. Corporate and Institutional Liability

o Companies and their officers held liable for offences under the Act, unless they prove due diligence.

o Independent directors or non-executive directors not involved in decision-making are protected.

7. Powers of Investigation and Enforcement

o Central Government may authorise officers to investigate, search, and seize digital or physical property linked to offences.

o Officers empowered to enter, search, and arrest without warrant in certain cases of suspected offences.

o Provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 apply to investigations under the Act.

8. Rule-Making Powers and Delegated Legislation

o Central Government empowered to make rules for:

 Promotion of e-sports and social gaming.

 Recognition, Categorisation and registration of online games.

 Powers and functioning of the Authority.

 any other matter required or permitted to be prescribed under this Act.

Positive Impacts of the Bill

• Boost to Creative Economy: Enhances India’s role in global gaming exports, employment and innovation.

• Empowering Youth: Encourages constructive participation through e-sports and skill-based digital games.

• Safe Digital Environment: Protects families from predatory online money gaming practices.

• Global Leadership: Positions India as a leader in responsible gaming innovation and digital policy-making.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 strikes a balanced path, encouraging innovation and youth engagement through safe and positive online gaming while firmly prohibiting harmful online money games, said the ministry. 

It also reflects the Modi 3.0 government’s commitment to a safe, secure and innovation-driven Digital India that “boosts creativity, safeguards citizens and strengthens national security”, added the MeitY. 

What happens next?

Once cleared by the Lok Sabha, the draft law will also require Rajya Sabha passage and Presidential assent before it comes into force.

Here are key things to know about the Online Gaming Bill: 

​What is the legislative process for any Bill to become law?

After introduction and passage in the Lok Sabha, the Bill will also need Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament) approval and the President’s assent before it formally takes effect.

Are celebrities and influencers allowed to promote online games, under the incoming law?

No, the law-to-be prohibits eminent personalities, such as celebrities and social media influencers, from endorsing or promoting betting and money-linked gaming apps.

How does the Bill define an online money game?

Any game — whether based on skill or chance — that requires an entry fee or deposit will be treated as an online money game, under the proposed law.

This definition overrides earlier legal distinctions between skill-based and chance-based games.

Will real-money online games be allowed?

No individual or company will be permitted to offer real-money online games.

What about advertising and payments for such games?

All forms of advertising for real-money games will be prohibited.

Banks, payment gateways and financial institutions will also be barred from processing payments linked to such games.

What are the penalties for violation?

The Bill prescribes strict action: penalties of Rs 50 lakh-1 crore and imprisonment of 2-3 years for offenders. Read more on proposed online gaming restrictions and punishments

Government Introduces Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025: Boosting Innovation, Protecting Citizens: Union Minister