New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, through a voice vote, bypassing debate amid intense protests from Opposition members seeking discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar.
The bill, introduced by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to regulate India’s booming online gaming sector while imposing restrictions on online money games. Despite Speaker Om Birla’s repeated appeals to allow discussion—including an offer of 18 hours of floor time—the Opposition remained adamant on prioritising the voter list issue, leading to a noisy walkout.
The bill was passed without any deliberation.
In his address, Vaishnaw emphasised the need for a structured framework to govern the rapidly expanding digital gaming space. He categorised the sector into three segments: e-sports, social games, and online money games. While the first two were praised for promoting logic, learning, and entertainment, the third—online money gaming—was condemned for fostering addiction, financial distress, and fraud.
Citing a recent news report published in Karnataka, the minister said that 32 lives had been lost due to money-gaming-related incidents in just a few months. He also referenced the World Health Organisation’s classification of gaming disorder as a psychological condition.
The bill defines “online money game” as any game played by depositing money or stakes with the expectation of monetary returns, regardless of whether it is based on skill, chance, or both. E-sports are explicitly excluded from this definition.
The legislation prohibits the offering, operation, facilitation, advertisement, and financial transactions related to such games. Violations could lead to imprisonment of up to three years and fines reaching Rs 1 crore.
Vaishnaw assured that the bill prioritises middle-class welfare, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stated commitment to protect vulnerable sections of society from exploitative digital platforms. The bill also proposes the creation of a national Online Gaming Authority to oversee compliance, promote innovation, and ensure responsible use of digital technologies.
As the bill moves to the Rajya Sabha, it has sparked a national conversation on digital ethics, consumer protection, and the future of India’s gaming economy.
IANS
IIM Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha amid Opposition walkout
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at establishing a new...
Not affiliated to any political party, says INDIA bloc VP nominee
New Delhi: B. Sudershan Reddy, the INDIA bloc candidate, who is set to take on National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan in the Vice-Presidential election, slated on September 9,...
Rajesh Khimji from Gujarat’s Rajkot attacks Delhi CM during Jan Sunvai
New Delhi: The man who attacked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the weekly 'Jan Sunvai' event at her official residence has been identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya,...
NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan files nomination for VP election, PM Modi accompanies him
New Delhi: C.P. Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Vice-Presidential polls, filed his nomination papers on Wednesday, setting the ball rolling for the high-stakes elections. Prime Minister...
Bangladesh court imposes travel ban on Sheikh Hasina’s former military secretary
Dhaka: A court in Dhaka on Tuesday announced a travel ban on Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's former military secretary Major General (Retd.) Salahuddin Miaji and three of his...
K’taka cabinet decides to provide internal reservation among SCs, CM to announce in Assembly today
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will make an announcement on the internal reservation for the 101 sub-castes within the Scheduled Castes community in the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday. The state cabinet...
India-China ties on upward trend, borders quiet: NSA Doval tells Wang Yi
New Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that India-China relations have witnessed an "upward trend" and that the borders have remained peaceful since the meeting between...
No change in India’s position on Taiwan: Govt sources
New Delhi: India on Tuesday reiterated its longstanding, clear and consistent policy on Taiwan which facilitates and promotes interactions in areas of trade, investment, tourism, culture, education and other such...
Moscow calls on London not to interfere with efforts to settle Ukrainian conflict: Russian Foreign Ministry
Moscow: Russia has called on the UK authorities to refrain from actions that undermine Russia and the US' efforts to settle the Ukrainian conflict, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said....
ONOE proposal not unconstitutional as per former CJI Khanna, says panel chief PP Chaudhary
New Delhi: Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Election (ONOE), P.P. Chaudhary, on Tuesday, said former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna shared his views on...
8 die as rain batters Maharashtra; heavy forecast in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar
Mumbai: At least eight people have died so far amid heavy rain and floods in various parts of Maharashtra, even as the Weather Department has forecast heavy downpours on Tuesday...
Yunus orders removal of President’s portraits, sparking unease in Bangladesh
New Delhi: Barely a year after the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh appears poised for another interesting turn of events, evident from the...
