In a landmark move, President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, officially making it law. The legislation marks a major shift in India’s digital and gaming landscape. The Bill bans all forms of online money gaming services while simultaneously promoting e-sports and skill-based social gaming.
Online Gaming Bill 2025: What the Law Says
The new law imposes strict penalties for violations.
- Facilitating online money gaming can attract imprisonment of up to three years along with fines reaching ₹1 crore.
- Advertising or promoting such platforms is also punishable, with penalties of up to two years in jail and fines of ₹50 lakh.
The bill was passed swiftly in Parliament earlier this week—clearing the Lok Sabha in just seven minutes and the Rajya Sabha in 26 minutes, despite opposition protests over procedural concerns.
Read More about BGMI
- BGMI Redeem Codes Today: KRAFTON India Rolls Out 59 New Redeem Codes to Unlock Premium Rewards
- BGIS 2026 Teaser Drops, Registrations Open This Month
- Krafton India Awards 2025 Vote Link, All Categories, and Nominees
- BGMI Player Transfer Window Deadline Extended, Check New Date
- BGMI Esports Roadmap 2026: Four Official Events, 4 Open For All Event, and Awards
Why the Ban on Online Money Gaming?
Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw explained the urgency behind the legislation, stating that online money gaming has led to devastating consequences for families:
“From time to time, society grapples with social evils. In these circumstances, it is the duty of the government and the parliament to probe and make laws to control them,” Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha, highlighting cases where individuals lost their life savings on such platforms.
PM Modi on Online Gaming Bill 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the legislation, striking a balance between regulation and growth in the sector.
“This Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament, highlights our commitment towards making India a hub for gaming, innovation and creativity. It will encourage e-sports and online social games. At the same time, it will save our society from the harmful effects of online money games,” the PM said in his statement.
A Double-Edged Sword for the Gaming Industry
Industry experts believe the law will reshape India’s gaming ecosystem. While real-money gaming platforms face a complete shutdown, the move could boost the country’s rapidly growing e-sports sector, which has been seeking stronger institutional support.
E-sports companies welcomed the bill as a sign of recognition by the government, but real money gaming operators expressed concerns over livelihoods and potential job losses.
Esports Industry Applauds the Online Gaming Bill 2025
The enactment of this law signals a clear demarcation between e-sports/social gaming and money-driven gambling apps. Authorities are expected to soon release detailed compliance mechanisms, including monitoring and enforcement strategies, to implement the ban effectively. This Bill will help to grow Esports industry and regulate it.
Rohit N Jagasia, Founder & CEO, Revenant Esports, “With the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, the gaming industry stands at a true inflection point. This bill was the need of the hour and is a welcome step toward providing long-awaited clarity. For the first time, the law formally recognises esports as a competitive sport, while also ensuring much-needed uniformity in regulations across states. Until now, the absence of a national framework had led to fragmented state-level laws and confusion. With a clear framework now in place, we can expect it to fuel healthy competition, spur innovation, and attract investments that will strengthen and accelerate the growth of the entire gaming ecosystem.
Tanmay ‘ScoutOP’ Singh, gaming influencer and brand ambassador of Revenant XSpark, “The government has officially recognised esports as a competitive sport. Competitive gaming has always been skill-based, and it is encouraging to see it finally get its due. This bill’s effort to clearly distinguish between esports, social gaming, and chance-based money games is a crucial step toward safeguarding and nurturing the growth of skill-based gaming. With the right balance, this legislation has the potential to position India as a global esports powerhouse.
For now, the message from the government is clear: India wants to be a hub for e-sports and innovation—not online betting or gambling.
