New Delhi4 minutes ago
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The government says that people are suffering mental and financial loss due to money based online gaming.
The Central Government is going to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha on 20 August 2025 today. This bill is meant to regulate online gaming and completely ban the real-mani games. It was approved by the cabinet a day earlier.
If this bill is passed in Parliament, then all these money based online games will be banned. Whether these games are skill based or chances based. That is, fantasy sports such as Dream 11, Rummi, Poker, etc. can all be closed.
Banks will not be able to transact money related to these games. It would also be illegal to promote these games. If someone is caught doing so, he may be imprisoned up to three years and a heavy fine.
In question and answer, they understand this whole matter…
Question 1: What are the rules in this bill?
Answer: The bill has many strict rules:
- Ban on real-mani games: It would be illegal to offer, run, promote or participate in any money based game.
- Punishment and fine: If someone offers a real-meri game or promotes it, he can be imprisoned up to 3 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. The advertisements may be fined 2 years in jail and up to Rs 50 lakh.
- Regulatory Authority: A special authority will be created, which will regulate the gaming industry, register the games and decide which game is a real-mani game.
- Promotion of e-sports: Non-money games, such as e-sports and social games will be supported.
Question 2: Why is the ban on money based games being completely banned?
answer: The government says that people are suffering mental and financial loss due to money based online gaming. Some people drowned so much in gaming addiction that they lost their lives and in some cases, reports of suicide were also revealed. Apart from this, there are also concerns about money laundering and national security. The government wants to take strict steps to stop this.
Question 3: What will be the effect on the online gaming industry?
answer: The online gaming market in India is currently worth $ 3.7 billion i.e. around Rs 32,000 crore. By 2029, it was expected to reach 9.1 billion dollars i.e. about 80 thousand crore rupees.
But with this ban, big companies like Dream 11, Games 24 X7, Winzo, Gamescraft can be in trouble. The people of the industry are saying that this move of the government may put 2 lakh jobs in danger. The government may also suffer a loss of tax of Rs 20,000 crore every year.
Question 4: What is the reaction of gaming companies and industry bodies?
answer: People and organizations of the gaming industry, such as All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFs) are against this bill. He has written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah and said that “Progressive Regulation” should be replaced by ban.
He says that people will go towards illegal and foreign gaming sites from the ban, which neither pay nor regulated. This will further increase the risk of cheating and addiction to the players.
Question 5: Is there any discount on this bill?
answer: Yes, the bill has been exempted from free-to-play and subscription based games, where the money does not take place. That is, if you play a game only for entertainment or give a fixed subscription, then it can run. Apart from this, it has also been said to promote e-sport and non-monitor skill based games.
Question 6: Even before it was talked about tax, then why this ban?
answer: Yes, earlier the government imposed 28% GST on online gaming and in 2023, betting without permission was made a crime under the new criminal provisions. But now the government’s stance has gone away from tax and regulation to completely ban. The people of the industry are calling it a step taken in “wrong direction”. He says that this will not only close legitimate companies, but will also benefit illegal operators.
Question 7: Can this ban be challenged in court?
Answer: Absolutely, the people of the industry are already turning to the court. The court has already said that skill based games like fantasy sports and Rammi cannot be called gambling. The industry says that this ban can be against the constitution, as it does not differentiate between skills and chances based games.
Question 8: What will be the effect on common players?
answer: Around 50 crore people in India are associated with online gaming. If this ban is applied, they will not be able to play games on regulated platforms. The industry says that this will lead people to illegal sites or foreign platforms, where there will be no security. This may increase the risk of fraud, data theft, and addiction. Also, those who were earning a little from these games, their earnings will also stop.
