NEW DELHI: Barely hours after its introduction on Wednesday, Lok Sabha passed a bill to not only prohibit online games played with money but also regulate, promote and encourage the sector to ensure a "developed, safe and responsible" digital environment for all citizens.
The proposed legislation - Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill , 2025 - was passed without a debate by a voice vote amid din as opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on Bihar SIR.
Once the legislation becomes a law after being passed by RS and receiving presidential assent, offering or facilitating online money gaming will be punishable by jail of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.
Moving the bill, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said govt seeks to encourage e-sports and online social gaming that do not involve money and will set up an authority for the purpose. Vaishnaw introduced the bill amid sloganeering by opposition members during the first half, when the House assembled after the first adjournment.He said online money gaming has become a matter of concern as such platforms have led to addiction among youth and have also been used for fraud and cheating.
Justifying the govt's move to ban online money gaming, the minister, in the statement of object and reasons of the bill, said the unchecked and widespread proliferation of such games, which are readily accessible through mobile devices and computers, and offer monetary returns in exchange for deposited funds has led to "grave social, economic, and psychological consequences across the country". tnn
The proposed legislation - Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill , 2025 - was passed without a debate by a voice vote amid din as opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion on Bihar SIR.
Once the legislation becomes a law after being passed by RS and receiving presidential assent, offering or facilitating online money gaming will be punishable by jail of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.
Moving the bill, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said govt seeks to encourage e-sports and online social gaming that do not involve money and will set up an authority for the purpose. Vaishnaw introduced the bill amid sloganeering by opposition members during the first half, when the House assembled after the first adjournment.He said online money gaming has become a matter of concern as such platforms have led to addiction among youth and have also been used for fraud and cheating.
Justifying the govt's move to ban online money gaming, the minister, in the statement of object and reasons of the bill, said the unchecked and widespread proliferation of such games, which are readily accessible through mobile devices and computers, and offer monetary returns in exchange for deposited funds has led to "grave social, economic, and psychological consequences across the country". tnn
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