New Delhi

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aiming to ban online games played with money to curb addiction, financial fraud, and money laundering. The legislation also prohibits advertisements for such games and bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for these activities.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the House before the Bill was passed by voice vote, despite protests from opposition members. Earlier, Amit Shah introduced three separate Bills related to removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers arrested on serious criminal charges, which were referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following opposition objections.

The new Bill defines online money games as any platform where users deposit money hoping to win monetary rewards or other benefits. It outlaws all forms of online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, poker, rummy, card games, and online lotteries. Once enacted, violators could face imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to ₹1 crore. The House was adjourned shortly after the Bill’s passage.