Ziraat Times News Desk
New Delhi, March 18: The Centre has enacted a new law banning all forms of online money games while promoting a regulated ecosystem for e-sports and non-monetary online games, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 prohibits online games involving real money—covering games of chance, skill, or a mix of both—and bars their advertising, promotion, and financial transactions.
Complete Ban on Online Money Games
Under the new law, offering or facilitating online money games is now illegal. The Act also empowers authorities to block access to such platforms under provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Financial institutions and payment systems have been barred from processing transactions linked to these games.
Strict Penalties for Violations
The law prescribes stringent punishments:
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Up to 3 years’ imprisonment or ₹1 crore fine (or both) for offering or facilitating such games
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Repeat offences may attract 3–5 years’ imprisonment and fines between ₹1–2 crore
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Advertising such games can lead to up to 2 years’ imprisonment or ₹50 lakh fine
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Repeat advertising violations may invite up to 3 years’ jail and fines up to ₹1 crore
Boost for E-sports and Safe Gaming
While banning money-based gaming, the Act promotes e-sports and online social gaming through a regulated framework. It introduces a registration system for permissible games and a grievance redressal mechanism for users.
National Gaming Authority to Regulate Sector
The law provides for the creation of a national-level regulatory body—the Online Gaming Authority of India—which will:
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Classify and register online games
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Determine whether a game qualifies as a money game
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Issue codes of practice
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Address user complaints
