Overview

• The statute imposes a nationwide prohibition on real‑money online games, covering betting, fantasy sports, poker, rummy and lotteries, and it outlaws advertising and related payment flows.
• Violations draw up to three years in prison and fines of Rs 1 crore for offering or facilitating, and up to two years and Rs 50 lakh for advertising, with repeat offenses carrying up to five years and Rs 2 crore.
• Authorities can order platform blocking under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and designated officers can investigate, search, seize and make certain arrests under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
• The Act recognizes e‑sports as a sport, tasks the Sports Ministry with guidelines and training infrastructure, and mandates a national Online Gaming Authority for oversight.
• The government cites 45 crore people affected annually, over Rs 20,000 crore in losses among poorer households and more than 600 suicides in five years, while experts warn foreign‑hosted platforms will challenge enforcement.