Online Gaming Regulation Bill Presented In Lok Sabha

Online gaming regulation Bill: According to sources, the Government of India is poised to propose a bill that would ban real-money gaming transactions. The news broke out on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and made instant headlines across the country. Although the bill has yet to be proposed in Parliament, it has already received clearance from the lower house. Here’s all that we know so far about this story.

What does the new bill propose for real money game transactions

Known as the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025,” the new gaming bill would completely block banks to provide money for advertisements and financial transactions for online games involving real-money stakes and outlaw them.

To stop the aggressively expanding online gaming and betting sector, the Union Cabinet approved the online gaming bill in the lower house of Parliament. The bill is yet to be functional after the final clearance from Parliament. Once it does, it will put a complete ban on all money-based gaming transactions.

While all this has been said and done, one thing that the government has mentioned is that the bill does not put a ban on esports and non-monetary skills-based games. This bill aims to separate regular and competitive gaming from those that push people to the edge and force them into addiction and financial losses that sometimes also take away their lives.

What happens once the Bill turns into an Act

Once the bill comes into action, anyone who doesn’t abide by the bill will face punishments such as:

Real-money gaming companies that won’t follow the rules could face imprisonment, heavy fine, or both.
If celebrities were found promoting any such games on any media platform, they could fall under the liability of huge fine or imprisonment for their act.

Online gaming regulation Bill: Why is this being done

According to sources, the Union Cabinet is taking this step to curb the growing addiction to online gaming among people. In addition to the same, the Education Ministry of India has also issued an advisory. They have advised parents and teachers to educate children on the ill effects of online game addiction. They have highlighted the risks of growing addictions among minors.

Apart from this, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also given strict orders to broadcasters. They have order them to carry out special disclaimer messages on the huge financial risks involved in online gaming and betting.

These measures are being taken to control the growing rate of online gaming. Since it has become the root cause of both addiction in minors and the risk to the finances of adult gamers.

The concerns surrounding the Bill

The bill is being proposed to work in the favor of all Indians and benefit them. But some people are facing huge losses due to the same. Here’s what it looks like:

Real money gaming startups are worried that their businesses will shut down if the legislation comes into force. Leaving them with huge losses.
Real money gaming investors are equally concerned about the proposed bill, as it puts their stakes at huge risk.
According to sources, all real-money gaming startups are going to be severely affected due to the Bill if it becomes an Act.

Online gaming regulation Bill: Summing it up

Digital gaming under the strict scrutiny of the Union Cabinet of India
Union Cabinet proposes online gaming bill to control real money-based gaming transactions and ads for online gaming.
Under this bill, banks are barred from processing funds for real-money online games.
The bill aims to regulate and eliminate gambling taking place through online games.
The bill excludes esports games and non-monetary skill games and only targets illegal gaming and betting websites.

While the GOI is trying to regulate the online gaming industry for the sake of its people, many people are also already suffering at the hands of the same new bill. The cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 20^th August 2025, for the final decision on the bill. Stay tuned to know what happens next in the story.

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