Legislation Shakes Up India's Online Gaming Landscape

The Indian Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, instituting a ban on real-money online games. While aimed at curbing addiction and financial fraud, the legislation's impact on segments of the gaming market, including potential stifling of innovation and revenue, has sparked both support and dissent.

The Lok Sabha has passed a crucial bill that bans real-money online games, a move hailed by many in the industry as a safeguard against addiction and fraud, but critiqued by others for potential market suppression.

Titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, the legislation seeks to prohibit advertisements for online money games and restricts financial institutions from supporting these activities. The bill passed despite opposition protests.

Stakeholders express varied responses, with some praising government efforts to promote esports, while others worry about the bill's ambiguous definitions and potential negative impact on innovation and revenue.

(With inputs from agencies.)