The Indian Lok Sabha has passed a historic bill to regulate India’s online gaming industry in order to regulate multiple aspects of the sector.
These include esports, educational games, social gaming, and the hotly contested real money gaming.
In addition to this, a central regulatory body has also been established by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
Despite opposition protests, the bill’s approval aims to make a substantial shift in India’s future online gaming laws by creating a precise legal framework.
Real money gaming platforms such as poker and fantasy sports are specifically targeted by the bill, which completely prohibits their operations.
To cut off funding sources, banks and other financial institutions will not be allowed to process payments connected to these platforms.
Providers found offering real money gaming risk fines of up to Rs 1 crore (~£85,000) or imprisonment for up to three years.
Moreover, promoting these platforms could also result in legal repercussions, including fines of Rs 50 lakh (~£42,000) and jail terms of up to two years.
Esports Emerges as a Bright Spot
The esports community; however, has welcomed the bill as a recognition and promotion of this rapidly expanding industry.
Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, called it “an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem.”
Considering that esports will make its Olympic debut in 2027, this law is expected to help boost the industry’s legitimacy in India by providing official recognition and regulatory support.
The bill’s approach also seeks to address problems associated with the real money wagering while regulating and promoting safe online gaming.
The policy also hopes to establish a distinct line between the dangers of gambling and the growth of skill-based esports as the nation accepts this changing gaming environment.
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