The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Online Gaming Bill 2025, which imposes a complete ban on online money-based gaming in India, citing growing concerns over addiction, financial distress, and emerging law-and-order challenges.
The law bans all online money games, including fantasy sports, poker and rummy.Facilitators face up to three years imprisonment, fines of ₹1 crore, or both. Advertising such platforms carries penalties of two years imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh.Industry bodies claim that the sector generates over ₹20,000 crore in yearly tax revenues and provides jobs to more than 2 lakh people, with figures expected to double in coming years.
Over the past few years, online gaming has emerged as a booming sector, with fantasy sports, rummy, poker, and real-money gaming platforms attracting millions of users. However, the surge in online wagering has also raised red flags about gaming addiction, financial fraud, and the lack of clear regulatory guardrails. By banning money-based transactions, the government aims to protect citizens from financial exploitation and curb the rising number of gaming-related disputes and legal battles.
Critics argue that instead of an outright ban, the government could have opted for stricter regulations, age restrictions, and responsible gaming frameworks. They believe such measures would have offered a more balanced solution.
