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The Rajya Sabha passed a bill on Thursday to prohibit the operation, facilitation, and advertising of online games played for money. The bill, titled the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill,’ was approved via a voice vote in the Upper House amid protests and sloganeering by the Opposition.
Lok Sabha has also passed the bill. Now, the bill will be sent to the President for their assent.
Bill Brought To Promote And Regulate Online Gaming Sector
The Bill’s objective stated, “It is brought to promote and regulate the online gaming sector, including e-sports, educational games and social gaming; to provide for the appointment of an Authority for coordinated policy support, strategic development and regulatory oversight of the sector.”
Key Provisions Of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill
- The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill restricts offering or aiding online money games and related services. It also prohibits advertising and facilitating financial transactions for such games.
- It empowers the central government to take steps for the recognition and development of e-sports and online social games.
- As per PRS India, E-sports is defined as an online game that is played as part of multi-sports events and recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- The central government may create a mechanism for registration of e-sports and online social games.
- The central government may constitute an authority with powers to determine whether an online game qualifies as an online money game and recognise, categorise, and register online games.
- Offering online money gaming services will be punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to one crore rupees, or both. Advertising online money games will be punishable with imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to Rs 50 lakh, or both.
- Non-compliance with directions or guidelines issued by the central government or the Authority will be punishable with a civil penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
