India
Online Gaming Bill, Cleared by the Union Cabinet: The Union Cabinet approved the Online Gaming Bill on Tuesday, setting the stage for a landmark regulation in India’s booming digital gaming sector. The bill seeks to regulate online gaming, introduce accountability, and make betting on digital platforms a punishable offence. It is expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday reports various media.
What Is the Online Gaming Bill?
The Online Gaming Bill introduces a uniform legal framework to oversee online gaming in India. Its primary goal is to curb illegal betting and fraud, while ensuring user safety. The bill raises concerns about:
- Addiction among youth.
- Rising cases of financial fraud.
- Lack of consistency in state-level gambling laws.
The law proposes stricter oversight of platforms offering real-money games. It may designate the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as the central regulator. Additionally, the bill empowers authorities to block unregistered or illegal sites.
Why the Bill Was Introduced
The government moved forward with this bill due to multiple factors. First, online betting apps have triggered fraud and financial crimes. Second, celebrity and influencer endorsements of betting platforms created a culture of unsafe gaming. Third, offshore operators often bypassed Indian compliance rules.
By introducing the bill, the government aims to build a safe, transparent, and accountable gaming ecosystem. At the same time, the framework will respect the states’ authority, as gambling remains part of the State List of the Constitution.
Key Proposals in the Bill
The bill identifies clear punishable offences:
- Betting via online platforms will be treated as a crime.
- Endorsements of unauthorized platforms may attract penalties.
- Previous laws already imposed up to 7 years of imprisonment and fines for illegal betting.
With this legislation, the government plans to tighten enforcement and bring uniformity across states.
Impact on the Online Gaming Industry
India’s online gaming industry continues to grow rapidly. Market projections show revenues may double to $9.1 billion by 2029. In 2024 alone, real-money games are expected to generate $3.7 billion, accounting for nearly 86% of industry revenues.
While the bill introduces restrictions, it also offers clarity through a formal regulatory framework. This will help legitimate companies operate safely while eliminating illegal operators.
Government Actions in the Last Three Years
The approval of the Online Gaming Bill builds on earlier steps to regulate the sector. Key actions include:
- 1,410 illegal sites blocked between 2022 and February 2025 by MeitY.
- Finance Act 2023 imposed a 30% tax on net winnings.
- 28% GST on online gaming introduced in October 2023.
- Offshore platforms brought into the Indian tax net.
- States empowered under Section 112(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which punishes unauthorized betting with 1–7 years of jail time and fines.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the IT Act strengthened cybersecurity.
- The Education Ministry, I&B Ministry, and Home Ministry launched advisories, disclaimers, and cybercrime helplines such as 1930 to prevent fraud and addiction.
The Road Ahead
The Online Gaming Bill signals a major shift in India’s digital policy landscape. By creating a transparent legal framework, the government aims to balance growth in the gaming sector with public safety and accountability.
If passed in the Lok Sabha, the bill will not only curb illegal betting apps but also ensure that India’s gaming industry evolves responsibly in the years ahead.
