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Parliament Passes Online Gaming Bill 2025: Real-Money Games Banned

On 21 August 2025, Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, creating a national framework for India’s gaming sector.

Objectives: Promote skill-based gaming & esports, regulate the industry, ban real-money betting/wagering games, and protect users from addiction & financial harm.

  • Prohibitions: Ban on money games, their advertisements, and related financial transactions.
  • Penalties: Up to 5 years jail, fines up to ₹2 crore for repeat offences.
  • Impact: Real-money platforms like Dream11, MPL, PokerBaazi face bans; esports & social gaming expected to grow.

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