India to Become Global Hub for Creative & Responsible Gaming
The Government of India has introduced the Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 — a landmark legislation aimed at fostering innovation in e-sports and online social games while protecting citizens from the harms of online money gaming.
The Bill strikes a crucial balance: it promotes digital creativity, innovation, and youth engagement, while prohibiting harmful, addictive, and exploitative practices such as online betting and gambling.
Over the past 11 years, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a digital transformation — from UPI and 5G to the booming semiconductor ecosystem. However, along with rapid technological growth, new digital risks have emerged. The Government recognizes the need to protect youth and families from financial, psychological, and social harm arising from the misuse of technology.
The Bill promotes e-sports and social/educational games and bans all forms of online money games—including betting, gambling, fantasy sports, online card games, and lotteries. These real money games often prey on vulnerable users through misleading promises of financial returns, leading to addiction, debt, and in some tragic cases, suicide.
The legislation also addresses national security concerns, as many online money gaming platforms are misused for financial fraud, money laundering, terror financing, and illicit messaging. It aligns digital laws with India’s physical-world restrictions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and various state laws.
Key Highlights of the Bill
1. Promotion of e-Sports
- e-Sports recognised as a legitimate competitive sport.
- Ministry of Sports to set standards, develop training academies, and promote global participation.
2. Support for Social and Educational Games
- Central Government to register and promote games with cultural, educational, and developmental value.
- Encouragement for age-appropriate content promoting skill-building and digital literacy.
3. Complete Ban on Online Money Games
- Prohibits operation, promotion, or facilitation of online money games (regardless of skill or chance).
- Bars financial transactions and advertising related to such games.
- Grants power to block unlawful platforms under the IT Act, 2000.
4. Online Gaming Authority
- A national authority to regulate, categorise, and register online games.
- Empowered to issue guidelines, handle complaints, and assess legality of games.
5. Offences and Penalties
- Up to 3 years imprisonment and ₹1 crore fine for offering/facilitating money games.
- Up to 2 years imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fine for advertising such games.
- Repeat offences attract harsher penalties (up to 5 years imprisonment and ₹2 crore fine).
- All major offences will be cognizable and non-bailable.
6. Corporate Accountability
- Company executives liable unless they prove due diligence.
- Protection for independent or non-executive directors uninvolved in daily operations.
7. Enforcement Powers
- Authorised officers may search, seize, and arrest without warrant in certain cases.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 applies to investigations under the Act.
8. Rule-Making Powers
- Government empowered to make rules for game registration, Authority functions, enforcement, and promotion of e-sports/social gaming.
Positive Impacts of the Bill
- Boost to Creative Economy: Enhances India’s role in global gaming exports, jobs, and innovation.
- Youth Empowerment: Encourages constructive digital participation through e-sports and skill games.
- Safe Digital Space: Shields families from predatory online money games and associated risks.
- Global Leadership: Positions India as a pioneer in responsible digital gaming policy.
A Responsible Step Forward
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 reflects the Government’s commitment to a secure, innovative, and values-driven Digital India. By encouraging positive digital engagement and firmly prohibiting harmful practices, this legislation lays the foundation for India to emerge as a global leader in responsible online gaming