Lok Sabha Passes Online Gaming Bill to Check Addiction and Fraud

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aimed at tackling instances of addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud through online games. The Bill seeks to prohibit advertisements related to online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for such games. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav highlighted the dangers of online money games, citing 32 reported suicides in Karnataka in 31 months and the World Health Organization's warning about the risks of such games.

Key Takeaways:

• The Bill aims to promote and regulate the online gaming sector, including e-sports, educational games, and social gaming.
• The Bill seeks to prohibit the offering, operation, and participation in online money games, particularly those that operate across state borders or from foreign jurisdictions.
• The Bill empowers the Centre to notify an Authority to assist in the implementation of the Act.
• The Bill prohibits advertisements promoting online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for such games.
• Online money games have been linked to addiction, financial losses, and psychological problems, with 32 reported suicides in Karnataka in 31 months.
• The Bill aims to protect vulnerable populations, including youth, from the adverse social, economic, psychological, and privacy-related impacts of online money games.

Statistics:

• 32 reported suicides in Karnataka in 31 months, attributed to online money games (Source: Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav).
• Up to 3 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offering or facilitating online money gaming.
• Prohibition on advertisements promoting online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for such games.

Sources:

• The Indian Express Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
• Contify.com