With the aim of boosting e-sports while banning money-based gaming, betting, and addictive practices that cause financial losses, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was passed by the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session on Wednesday.
Bill passed without debate
This is the first bill in the session to be passed without debate. It was introduced by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, while Opposition members were engaged in raising slogans demanding a discussion on the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) exercise of the Election Commission in Bihar.
Legal framework
Once cleared by both Houses, the legislation will make money-based online gaming a punishable offence, carrying up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 crore. It will also restrict advertisements of such games.
Why is this legislation essential?
While presenting the bill, Vaishnaw said that many people have lost their lives and savings to online gaming, making it necessary to curb the addiction that causes financial harm. He emphasized that it is better to promote e-gaming and social games that do not involve money. He further raised concerns that several platforms have been misused for money laundering, terror financing, and as communication channels for extremist groups. Many offshore-based operators also evade state regulations, taxation, and pose cross-border challenges for law enforcement.
Apps likely to be affected
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Dream11 – Valued at $8 billion and endorsed by top cricketers, Dream11 will be among the most affected. Users spend as little as ₹8 to create fantasy teams and compete for prize pools as high as ₹1.2 million, with activity peaking during the IPL season.
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Mobile Premier League (MPL) – With a valuation of over $2.5 billion, MPL will also face a major impact.
Other impacted apps include My11Circle, Howzat, SG11 Fantasy, WinZO, Games24x7 (parent of My11Circle and RummyCircle), Junglee Games (Rummy & Poker), PokerBaazi, and GamesKraft (RummyCulture), among several others.
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