Online Gaming Bill 2025 handed in Lok Sabha: Ban on actual cash gaming; increase for esports | Extra sports activities Information

Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday handed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, amid protests by the Opposition. The laws, which seeks to advertise and regulate the web gaming sector, has drawn contrasting reactions — delighting the esports trade however sparking alarm within the multi-billion-dollar actual cash gaming market.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The House was adjourned until Thursday following noisy protests, whereas the Rajya Sabha was adjourned until tomorrow. Despite the disruption, the Bill went by way of, making a landmark second for one among India’s fastest-growing industries.

The laws proposes the creation of a central regulatory physique to supervise 4 key segments: esports, academic video games, social gaming, and actual cash gaming. Among these, actual cash gaming platforms — corresponding to poker and fantasy sports activities — face the largest blow.The Bill’s “Prohibitions” clause states: “No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money game and online money gaming service.” It additional bans banks and monetary establishments from processing transactions for such platforms.Under the “Offences and Penalties” clause, service suppliers discovered providing actual cash video games may resist three years’ imprisonment or fines of as much as Rs 1 crore. Advertising such platforms may additionally invite jail phrases of as much as two years or fines of Rs 50 lakh.The authorities defended the transfer, citing widespread social and monetary harms: “The proliferation of online money games…offering monetary returns against user deposits has led to serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups.”Implications for Indian SportCricket, which has seen a surge in actual cash gaming sponsorships, stands to be most affected. Dream11, India’s group sponsor, pays roughly Rs 358 crore, whereas My11Circle holds IPL fantasy rights value Rs 625 crore over 5 years. Several main cricketers additionally maintain private endorsement offers with these firms.Sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania famous: “Cricket is huge in India and there won’t be any dearth of sponsors for Indian cricket. However, personal sponsorship market can shrink because of this bill. Fan engagement will also be affected.” He added that fantasy apps may shift to subscription-based fashions, although revenues will probably fall.Boost for EsportsFor the esports fraternity, nevertheless, the Bill is being hailed as a breakthrough. “The government’s intent to recognise and promote esports…is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem,” Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, informed PTI.As esports prepares for its Olympic debut in 2027, the Bill may present the sector with long-awaited legitimacy — marking a brand new period for gaming in India.