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The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was cleared by Parliament on Friday (August 22, 2025), sparking massive protests from the Opposition. The bill, which bans the operation, promotion, and advertisement of online money games, was passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote, a day after it sailed through the Lok Sabha.
Opposition leaders alleged that the government pushed the bill without allowing a proper debate. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the move, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju argued that disruptions by the Opposition itself left no scope for a discussion.
Bill Imposes Strict Penalties on Online Money Gaming
The legislation makes online money gaming punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 crore. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties, including three to five years’ jail term and fines of up to ₹2 crore.
In addition, advertising of online money games can invite imprisonment of up to two years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh. Banks and financial institutions are barred from processing transactions linked to such games.
Government’s Stand: Online Gaming Addiction ‘Like Drugs’
Tabling the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw compared online money-gaming addiction to drug addiction. He cautioned that “powerful people behind these games will challenge the law in courts and run social media campaigns against the ban.”
He further alleged that the money involved in such platforms has been used to fund unlawful activities, including terrorism.
Scope of the Online Gaming Ban
The bill defines online money games as those where users deposit money with the expectation of monetary rewards. It effectively bans:
- Fantasy sports platforms involving real money
- Online gambling games such as Poker, Rummy, and card-based betting
- Online lotteries and satta/jua activities
The new law also prohibits advertising of such games across media platforms, in a bid to curb their growing influence, particularly among youth.
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