Lok Sabha Approves Bill to Ban Online Games Offering Monetary Gains

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote amid Opposition protests. The Bill seeks to ban online money games to curb addiction, money laundering, and fraud. It proposes up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a ₹1 crore fine for violations, along with a ban on advertisements and financial facilitation by banks. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said online money games have ruined families, citing suicides in Karnataka, while e-sports and social games remain unaffected. The Bill also establishes an Authority for regulation, policy support, and safeguarding public health and order.