Rajya Sabha Clears the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025'

The Rajya Sabha passed The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, prohibiting online money games and related services such as advertisements and banking offers.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the bill’s aim to protect the 2/3rd legitimate gaming sector while banning addictive online money games linked to financial losses, money laundering, and terror funding.

The law defines online money games as paid games with monetary stakes but excludes e-sports and educational online social games, and applies both domestically and internationally.

The Bill allows the government to establish an authority with investigative powers, including searches and arrests without warrants, with penalties up to Rs. 1 crore.