President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, August 22, gave her approval to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, making it law a day after it was cleared by both houses of Parliament.
The legislation bans online money gaming platforms, prescribing penalties of up to three years in jail and fines of Rs 1 crore. Advertising such platforms will also invite punishment, with offenders facing up to two years’ imprisonment and fines of Rs 50 lakh.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while introducing the bill, said nearly 450 million players had collectively lost more than Rs 20,000 crore to online money games. Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the move, stressing that the law targets gambling while encouraging e-sports and skill-based gaming.
Industry representatives, however, termed the legislation a severe blow to India’s Rs 31,000-crore online gaming sector, warning that it could push users towards offshore operators. The sector, which employs around 2 lakh people and has attracted significant foreign investment, is expected to be hit hard, with firms like Dream11 and WinZO announcing plans to halt operations in India.
