Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
(Formerly the Online Gaming Bill, 2025)
Timeline & Status
- Passed by Lok Sabha on 20 August 2025
- Passed by Rajya Sabha on 21 August 2025
- Received Presidential assent on 22 August 2025, becoming enforceable law as of that date (Wikipedia, Reuters).
Main Provisions
1. Ban on Real-Money Gaming
- A complete prohibition on all online money-based games—regardless of whether they’re skill-based, chance-based, or mixed—including fantasy sports, lotteries, betting, card games, etc. (Reuters, Times of India, Zeus Law Associates, The Economic Times).
- Advertising, offering, facilitating, or enabling financial transactions for such games is also banned. (Reuters, ABP Live, Zeus Law Associates).
- Banks and payment platforms are barred from processing transactions related to these banned games. (The Economic Times, ABP Live).
2. Penalties
- Offering or facilitating prohibited games: up to 3 years imprisonment and/or fine up to ₹1 crore. (www.ndtv.com, Reuters, The Economic Times).
- Advertising such games: up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine up to ₹50 lakh. (www.ndtv.com, The Economic Times).
- Repeat offenders face steeper penalties—3 to 5 years in jail and fine up to ₹2 crore. (www.ndtv.com, Times of India).
- Offences are cognizable and non-bailable, with authorities empowered to search, seize, and arrest without warrant. (www.ndtv.com, ABP Live).
3. Promotion of E-sports & Safe Gaming
- E-sports officially recognized as competitive sport; Ministry of Sports tasked with developing guidelines, establishing training academies, research centers, and boosting awareness. (www.ndtv.com, India Today, Times of India).
- Social and educational games (without monetary stakes) are encouraged—platforms can offer via subscription or one-time fees. (www.ndtv.com, Zeus Law Associates, Your Krishna Legal Aid).
4. Regulatory Structure
- Establishment of a National Online Gaming Commission (Online Gaming Authority) to:
- Classify and license games (skill/social vs. money games).
- Register e-sports and oversee compliance.
- Handle user complaints and enforce penalties. (Wikipedia, Times of India, Zeus Law Associates).
- Licensed platforms must implement:
- Age and identity verification (no minors allowed).
- Self-exclusion, time/deposit limits, grievance redressal, data protection, and compliance with anti-money laundering laws. (Wikipedia).
- Infrastructure for dispute resolution, including an Online Gaming Appellate Tribunal with powers of a civil court; appeals go to the Supreme Court. (Wikipedia).
5. Promoting Responsible Growth
- Law designates online gaming as a formal creative economy sector, eligible for government incentives.
- Encourages investment in esports infrastructure, research in mental health, and skill development related to gaming. (Wikipedia, Times of India, Editorialge).
Industry Response & Impact
- Major platforms like Dream11, MPL, Zupee, and Dream Sports have begun shutting down their real-money gaming operations due to the new ban. (Times of India).
- WinZO announced withdrawal from money-based games following the law’s passage. (Times of India).
- A broader crackdown on illegal betting ensued, with ED raids across multiple cities following the bill’s passage. (Times of India).
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Law Name & Status | Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 – effective from 22 August 2025 |
| Real-Money Games | Fully prohibited, with strict penalties and bans on promotion and payments |
| E-Sports & Social Games | Encouraged under regulation, with supportive infrastructure planned |
| Regulatory Authority | National Online Gaming Commission to classify, license, regulate, and enforce |
| User Safeguards | Age checks, self-exclusion, grievance systems, financial safeguards |
| Industry Effects | Real-money platforms closing; shift toward non-monetary, regulated gaming sector |