Online Gaming Bill highlights commitment towards making India a hub for innovation, creativity: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, highlights the commitment towards making India a hub for gaming, highlights our commitment towards making India a hub for gaming, innovation and creativity, adding that it will encourage e-sports and online gaming.

Modi further said the bill will, at the same time, society from the harmful effects of online money games.



Earlier today, Rajya Sabha cleared the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 without discussion, a day after its passage in the Lok Sabha. It Bill bans all online games played with money, in a bid to curb addiction, money laundering, suicides and financial fraud linked to such platforms.

The legislation, passed by voice vote amid opposition protests, prohibits not just the offering of online money games but also their advertisements. It further bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for these activities.

Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw made brief remarks before the Bill’s passage.

The government has also highlighted that the Bill aims at the 'greater good' for the society. According to a PTI report, the Centre has estimated that around 45 crore people lose close to Rs 20,000 crore every year in online real money gaming. Meanwhile, the online gaming industry has warned that the proposed Bill banning all real money games could kill over two lakh jobs, shut down 400 companies, and hurt India’s digital innovation. Industry bodies said the sector, valued at ₹2 lakh crore with ₹31,000 crore revenue and ₹20,000 crore in taxes, faces a “death knell” if the law is passed.

On Wednesday, Vaishnaw said online money gaming has become a bigger issue than drugs, adding that many youngsters have died by suicide after losing their savings in such games.