The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a Online Gaming Bill in India, 7 minutes after the Central Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) introduced the bill.
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal only one day earlier, promoting and regulating online gaming bills, 2025. It cleared its first legislative hurdle amid criticism in the gaming industry, citing thousands of crores of rupees and investment in the region.
Online Gaming Bill approved by LS
However, the government believes that the benefits of banning online money games are ahead of the costs, a senior government official said that a senior government official said.
In the Lok Sabha, where the bill left amid opposition from the opposition MP, Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that this law was necessary to handle a part of gaming, which is a significant concern.
“In the last 11 years, digital technology has expanded extensively, providing a new identity to India. There is a nearby area online gaming, which has three major segments,” Vaishnav told Parliament. “The first is e-game, an emerging field that promotes strategic thinking, teamwork and cultural exchange. The second is online social games such as solitaires, chess and Sudoku which many of us have played. Third, although, online money games are-a section that has become a serious concern for society today.”
All money based games banned in India, fine up to 1 crore
The law bans all online money games from fantasy games to poker, rummy, and online lottery. Facilitators face imprisonment of up to three years, fine of ₹ 1 crore, or both. Advertisement of such platforms fined for two years imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹ 50 lakh, as per Online Gaming Bill.
Government estimates show that 450 million Indians play online money games, with around ₹ 20,000 crore per annum. The industry has generated ₹ 31,000 crore in annual revenue in foreign investment since June 2022, and supports around 400 startups, according to a letter sent by the industry body to Amit Shah.
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