On the final day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, just a day after it cleared the Lok Sabha. This landmark legislation seeks to prohibit harmful online money-based gaming activities, including gambling and betting, while promoting skill-based e-sports and non-monetary social games.

Introduced by Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the bill received parliamentary approval despite ongoing opposition protests. The law is designed to address the rising concerns around online gambling by banning advertisements promoting such platforms and restricting financial transactions related to these games. It proposes a blanket prohibition on online games involving real money, including popular formats such as poker, rummy, and fantasy sports leagues.

The bill’s passage is expected to significantly impact India’s rapidly growing $3.8 billion gaming industry, which has attracted major global investments and led to the rise of platforms like Dream11, Games24x7, and Mobile Premier League (MPL). Under the new law, offering or playing money-based online games can result in penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines reaching Rs 1 crore. Repeat offences may lead to even harsher punishment—up to five years in jail and fines of Rs 2 crore.

This legislation is seen as a move to bring regulatory clarity and safeguard users—especially minors—from the risks associated with addictive and financially exploitative gaming practices.