Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed in Lok Sabha: Ban on Money-Based Gaming

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Online Gaming Bill 2025, which imposes a complete ban on online money-based gaming in India, citing concerns over addiction, financial distress, and law-and-order issues.

The legislation prohibits all forms of online money games, including fantasy sports, poker, and rummy. Violators may face up to three years in prison, fines of ₹1 crore, or both. Advertising such platforms will also attract penalties of up to two years imprisonment and fines of ₹50 lakh.

Industry bodies have stated that the sector contributes more than ₹20,000 crore annually in tax revenues and provides employment to over 2 lakh people, with those figures projected to grow further. India’s online gaming market generated approximately $3.7 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach $9 billion by 2029. The real-money gaming segment, which falls under the ban, contributes the majority of this revenue.

Critics argue that, rather than a complete ban, the government could have introduced stricter regulations, age restrictions, and responsible gaming frameworks to balance consumer protection with industry growth