Overview

• Rajya Sabha approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote after the Lok Sabha cleared it a day earlier, sending the measure to the President for assent.
• The statute outlaws offering or facilitating online money games regardless of skill or chance, bans all advertising and endorsements, and directs banks and payment systems to block related transactions, with non‑compliant platforms subject to IT Act blocking.
• Penalties include up to three years in jail and ₹1 crore fine for operators or facilitators and up to two years and ₹50 lakh for advertising, with harsher punishments for repeat offences and several cognisable, non‑bailable provisions.
• The framework establishes a central authority to register and categorise games, formally recognises e‑sports for promotion by the Sports Ministry, and encourages social and educational titles under government oversight.
• Industry federations including AIGF, EGF, and FIFS have opposed the blanket ban, warn of revenue and job losses and reduced sports sponsorships, and the IT minister said court challenges are expected.