ONLINE GAMING BILL 2025

Current Context : Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 to promote e-sports and ban harmful money games.

ABOUT ONLINE GAMING BILL 2025

• Purpose: To regulate India’s fast-growing online gaming sector.
• Three Categories of Games:
  1. E-sports: Skill-based, professional gaming (promoted).
  2. Online Social Games: Recreational, no money involved (promoted).
  3. Online Money Games: Betting/gambling games (banned).
• Regulation:
  1. Establishes an Online Gaming Authority for oversight and policy.
  2. Provides developer support and gaming infrastructure.
• Ban on Money Games:
  1. Bans games like Rummy, Poker, and other stake-based apps.
  2. Reason: Associated with fraud, addiction, financial distress, suicides.
• Penalties:
  1. First offence: 3 years jail or ₹1 crore fine.
  2. Repeat offence: 3–5 years jail or ₹2 crore fine.