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Online Gaming Bill: The central government presented the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 -- commonly known as the Online Gaming Bill -- in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, on Wednesday. The development comes a day after the Union Cabinet gave the nod to the Bill.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the proposed law is set to "boost innovation" while "protecting citizens". 

The rise of digital technologies in the country has delivered immense benefits to citizens, but also led to the emergence of new risks, making it equally important to ensure that the society is protected from potential harms of technology misuse, according to the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The Bill seeks "to encourage the positive aspects of technology while protecting society from the adverse impacts of online money games", it noted. 

Here's a quick take on some of the key points highlighted by the ministry:

Here's a summary of key provisions under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025:

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 strikes a balanced path, encouraging innovation and youth engagement through safe and positive online gaming while firmly prohibiting harmful online money games, said the ministry. 

It also reflects the Modi 3.0 government’s commitment to a safe, secure and innovation-driven Digital India that "boosts creativity, safeguards citizens and strengthens national security", added the MeitY. 

What happens next?

Once cleared by the Lok Sabha, the draft law will also require Rajya Sabha passage and Presidential assent before it comes into force.

Here are key things to know about the Online Gaming Bill: 

After introduction and passage in the Lok Sabha, the Bill will also need Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament) approval and the President’s assent before it formally takes effect.

No, the law-to-be prohibits eminent personalities, such as celebrities and social media influencers, from endorsing or promoting betting and money-linked gaming apps.

Any game -- whether based on skill or chance -- that requires an entry fee or deposit will be treated as an online money game, under the proposed law.

This definition overrides earlier legal distinctions between skill-based and chance-based games.

No individual or company will be permitted to offer real-money online games.

All forms of advertising for real-money games will be prohibited.

Banks, payment gateways and financial institutions will also be barred from processing payments linked to such games.

The Bill prescribes strict action: penalties of Rs 50 lakh-1 crore and imprisonment of 2-3 years for offenders.  on proposed online gaming restrictions and punishments

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