US EditionIndia Passes Bill Banning Money-Based Online Games, App Shutdowns Loom
The bill bans real-money gaming citing addiction and financial loss risks, imposing penalties including up to three years imprisonment and fines of ₹1 crore for operators.
- On Thursday, the Rajya Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote amid uproar, following Lok Sabha's approval on Wednesday, August 20.
- The government argued the bill was needed because online money games cause addiction and financial harm, affecting about 45 crore people who lose nearly Rs 20,000 crore annually.
- It prescribes penalties and operational bans such as up to 3 years' imprisonment and fines up to crore for offences, while barring banks and financial institutions from processing transactions related to online money games and advertisements by operators and advertisers.
- Industry groups say the bill risks the �316 billion online gaming sector, imperilling over two lakh jobs and billions in investment.
- Amid the din, Opposition members staged protests over Special Intensive Revision of Bihar voter lists as the Monsoon Session, which began on July 21, adjourned sine die with productivity at 38.88 per cent.
38 Articles
38 Articles
aninews.in
Rajya Sabha passes Online Gaming Bill amid opposition protests
India passes bill banning money-based online games, app shutdowns loom
India’s parliament on Thursday passed a bill to ban online games played with money in a move that threatens the survival of the popular fantasy gaming sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government flagged the high risk of financial harm. The sudden ban has shocked an industry backed by venture capital firms like Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners and which was set to be worth $3.6 billion in India by 2029. Executives fear imminent job l…
On the uproar by the opposition after the passing of the online gaming bill, Minister Vaishnav said that we were ready for the debate. MPs from every region of the country have come and told me and the Speaker that online money gaming is spreading a bad practice in society. It is affecting our future generations.
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