In a shocking incident, an 18-year-old Class 12 student from Lucknow’s Gomtinagar Extension tragically died by suicide on Thursday. The incident shreds light on the growing concerns surrounding online gaming addiction. A suicide note recovered from his room revealed his ongoing struggle to balance academics.

The boy also revealed his intense involvement in online gaming. The note mentioned his repeated but unsuccessful efforts to quit gaming. The victim also feared financial losses caused by gambling within these games.

Details from Police and Family

The teenager was found hanging in his room early Thursday morning by his family members. Upon discovery the family immediately alerted the police. Authorities arrived quickly and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

According to Senior Police Officer Brij Narayan Singh, the young student had been addicted to online games for a considerable time. Initially, he played paid versions of games, but after exhausting his finances, he switched to free versions. The officer stated that the teen’s addiction deeply affected his academic performance and mental well-being.

New Law Banning Online Money Games

The tragic incident coincided with the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all forms of online money games in India. The legislation aims to regulate the industry by promoting non-monetary games. These games include eSports and social gaming while protecting vulnerable youth from the risks associated with online gambling.

The bill also mandates the formation of a national regulatory authority to oversee online gaming activities. The government emphasized that this law was necessary to prevent exploitation and curb the growing problem of gaming addiction.

Another Suicide Reported in Lucknow

In a similar but unrelated incident that has intensified concerns over mental health and gaming addiction, a 22-year-old man was found hanging at a friend’s residence in the Bijnor area of Lucknow on the same day. The man had made a distress video call to his mother, expressing his intention to end his life and asking that no one intervene.

His brother discovered his body after breaking into the house following multiple unanswered calls. Both cases underscore the urgent need for awareness and support systems addressing the psychological impact of gaming addiction.