The Lok Sabha on Wednesday cleared the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill’, marking India’s first comprehensive framework for the fast-growing digital gaming sector.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Three categories of online gaming:
- E-sports – granted legal recognition as competitive sport.
- Online social games – like Chess, Solitaire, Sudoku (without money stakes), to be promoted for family/friendly interaction.
- Online money games – blanket ban imposed.
- Ban on money games:
- Covers games of skill, chance, or both if played for stakes.
- Applies to offering, operating, advertising, facilitating, promoting or financing such games.
- Players will not be punished; liability lies with service providers and promoters.
Penalties
- Running money games: Up to 3 years’ imprisonment and/or ₹1 crore fine.
- Advertising them: Up to 2 years in jail and/or ₹50 lakh fine.
- Repeat offences: Up to 5 years in jail and ₹2 crore fine.
- All offences will be cognisable and non-bailable.
Government’s Stand
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw:
- “E-sports are rapidly gaining prominence and will now receive legal recognition.”
- “Online money games have become a major societal concern due to addiction, financial losses, suicides, opaque algorithms, and even terror financing links.”
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will frame policy for promoting e-sports.
Political Reactions
- Despite slogans and protests from Opposition benches, the Bill was passed by a voice vote.
