New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, by both Houses of Parliament, saying the new law will give a significant push to e-sports and social gaming, while protecting society from the negative effects of online money-based games.
The Rajya Sabha cleared the bill on Thursday amid protests and walkouts by Opposition parties, just a day after the Lok Sabha passed it in record time. With the approval from both Houses, the bill is set to become law once it receives presidential assent.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi described the legislation as a landmark in India’s digital and entertainment policy. “This Bill highlights our commitment towards making India a hub for gaming, innovation and creativity. It will encourage e-sports and online social games. At the same time, it will save our society from the harmful effects of online money games,” the Prime Minister said.
A Contested but Swift Passage
The Union Cabinet had cleared the bill earlier this week, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. Despite heavy criticism from segments of the gaming industry, the government pushed ahead, citing public safety and the need to regulate a rapidly growing digital sector.
On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the bill within seven minutes of its introduction by Union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The Rajya Sabha, too, rejected all amendments proposed by Opposition members before giving its nod.
Vaishnaw emphasized that the purpose of the bill was to safeguard citizens, particularly the youth, from the dangers of addictive online money games. “People lose their life’s savings in online money gaming,” he said in Parliament, adding that the government had been consulting stakeholders for over three years before finalizing the legislation.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 draws a clear distinction between online money games and other forms of gaming. Its major provisions include:
- Complete ban on online money games such as betting, gambling, and fantasy money play.
- Prohibition of advertisements promoting such games across media platforms.
- Restrictions on banks and financial institutions, preventing them from facilitating or transferring funds for banned activities.
- Legal recognition to e-sports, enabling their promotion as a legitimate sport.
- Encouragement of social online games, which are considered safe platforms for interaction, learning, and skill development.
- Accountability measures for service providers, advertisers, and payment intermediaries engaged in banned money games.
The bill seeks to strike a balance between protecting users from harmful practices while supporting innovation in safe and creative gaming segments.
Push for E-Sports and Social Gaming
One of the highlights of the bill is its formal recognition of e-sports as a legitimate part of India’s sporting and digital ecosystem. Vaishnaw said the government plans to launch schemes and programmes to encourage e-sports talent, with an eye on building India’s presence in international competitions.
Social games, which allow players to engage with each other without financial risks, have also been given a boost under the new framework. According to the minister, the legislation aims to promote such games as healthy tools for entertainment, education, and community-building. “Government will support game makers and creators – part of India’s creator economy and software growth,” Vaishnaw posted on X.
Industry Reaction
While the government hailed the law as a safeguard for society, sections of the online gaming industry expressed disappointment. They argued that the bill overlooks the massive investments and revenues the sector attracts, amounting to thousands of crores. However, officials maintained that the social costs of unregulated money gaming far outweigh the financial benefits, pointing to cases of addiction, financial ruin, and even mental health crises linked to such platforms.
Looking Ahead
The passage of the bill marks a significant step in the regulation of India’s digital gaming space. Supporters believe it will help the country curb the menace of online money games while simultaneously nurturing e-sports and game development. For the government, the legislation is not just about curbing risks but also about positioning India as a hub for innovation, creativity, and safe digital entertainment.
As PM Modi put it, the Online Gaming Bill is both a protective shield and a growth engine—shielding society from harmful practices, while fuelling the rise of India’s gaming ecosystem.
