Online Gaming Bill

New Delhi

A bill to prohibit and regulate online gaming was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, even as opposition members continued protests over the electoral roll revision in Bihar.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the bill while opposition MPs raised slogans and displayed placards. Congress leader Manish Tewari was asked by the Chair to put forth his objections to the bill, but he insisted that the House should first discuss the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar. Similarly, N K Premchandran of the RSP declined to speak, arguing that the proceedings could not continue when the House was not in order.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the opposition for repeated disruptions. He remarked that even school children now mock parliamentarians for their unruly behaviour.

As protests grew louder, P C Mohan, who was presiding over the session, adjourned the House until 2 pm.

The proposed legislation aims to ban online money gaming and its advertisements. It outlines penalties, including fines or imprisonment, or both, for those involved in promoting or running such platforms. Importantly, the bill draws a distinction between money-based online games and other categories such as eSports or online social games.

In addition to imposing restrictions, the bill also seeks to promote eSports and social gaming as legitimate online activities. Officials believe that this distinction will help encourage positive gaming platforms while protecting citizens, particularly the youth, from the risks associated with online gambling and money gaming.

The introduction of the bill marks an important step towards building a regulatory framework for India’s fast-growing online gaming sector, even as political clashes in Parliament overshadowed the debate.