The Bill aims to ban online money gaming services, advertisements, and financial transactions related to them, while encouraging e-sports and casual gaming.
The Election Commission has announced biennial Rajya Sabha elections for 37 seats across 10 states, with polling scheduled for March 16, 2026. | Photo: IANS
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a day after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha. The Online Gaming Bill 2025 was passed by a voice vote amid Opposition’s uproar.
It will now become a law after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s nod.
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Earlier on Wednesday, the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha without any debate. The Opposition has opppsed the bill.
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The Bill aims to ban online money gaming services, advertisements, and financial transactions related to them, while encouraging e-sports and casual gaming.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who spearheaded the Bill, said that online money games, which have become a major societal concern due to addiction and financial losses, leading to extreme cases, including suicides, will be banned.
However, he said that e-sports, which are rapidly gaining prominence, will receive legal recognition. Besides, Online social games, which are played without monetary stakes, are also to be promoted for family and friendly interaction.
Moreover, the bill proposes no punishment for those playing online money games and it is only the service providers, advertisers, promoters, and those who financially support such games will face the consequences.
Indian apps likely to be impacted by Online Gaming Bill 2025
Among the major online gaming platforms likely to be impacted by the Online Gaming Bill 2025 are Dream 11, Mobile Premier League (MPL), My11Circle, WinZo, and PokerBazi.
Besides these, several other similar apps like Howzat, SG11 Fantasy, Games24x7, the parent company of of My11Circle and RummyCircle, Junglee Games and RummyCulture are also likely to face complete ban on their gaming activities involving monetary transactions.
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