New Delhi, August 21 (HS): The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill, 2025 by voice vote, without discussion, a day after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha. With this, the legislation has now received Parliament’s approval.

The bill seeks to draw a sharp line between skill-based digital gaming and harmful gambling practices—by promoting e-sports and social games, while placing a complete ban on “money games” linked to betting, wagering, and online gambling.

Introducing the bill, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that online money games had emerged as a serious social menace “akin to drugs”, trapping millions of youth. He urged lawmakers, the media, and civil society to join hands in curbing the addiction, pointing out that nearly Rs 20,000 crore has been lost by around 450 million people in India through such platforms. He underlined that the Modi government prioritises social welfare over revenue interests, stressing that WHO has also classified online gaming addiction as a disorder.

Key provisions of the bill:

-E-Sports Recognition: E-sports formally recognised as legitimate sports; the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will frame guidelines, establish training facilities, research hubs, and foster their inclusion in the National Sports Policy.

-Safe Social & Educational Games: Central Government empowered to classify, register, and promote cultural, social, and educational games to encourage digital literacy and skill development.

-Total Ban on Online Money Games: Any game involving real-money stakes—whether based on skill, chance, or a mix—prohibited. Advertising, promotion, and financial transactions related to them declared illegal. Banks and payment systems barred from processing related transactions.

-National Online Gaming Authority (NOGA): To be set up for registration, classification of games, resolving complaints, and certifying whether a game falls under the “money game” category. It will also issue codes of conduct and compliance guidelines.

-Penalties: Offering online money games will attract up to 3 years imprisonment or fines up to ₹1 crore. Advertising such games can lead to 2 years jail or ₹50 lakh fine. Repeat offenders face harsher sentences.

-Enforcement Powers: Authorities empowered to seize digital/physical assets, and in grave offences, make warrantless arrests.

Vaishnaw also warned that powerful lobbies behind the money-game industry are expected to challenge the law in courts and launch campaigns, but asserted that the government would stand firm.

“Whenever it concerns the interest of the middle class and our youth, Prime Minister Modi has set aside revenue considerations and acted on principles,” he told the House.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar