(On 21 August, 2025, India's Parliament approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, to prohibit online games involving monetary stakes. The move has been met with contrasting reactions with some hailing it as a move to contain online gambling. Critics have raised concerns over the significant threat to the thriving fantasy gaming industry.
In this view, Subimal Bhattacharjee argues that the Act marks a watershed moment in the country's digital governance journey and how it's most significant achievement lies in its unflinching stance against real-money gaming platforms that have wreaked havoc on Indian families.)
Last week’s passage of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 marks a watershed moment in the country's digital governance journey.
This legislation represents more than regulatory housekeeping. It's a strategic recalibration that prioritises societal welfare while positioning India as a global leader in legitimate digital gaming and esports. By drawing clear lines between harmful gambling and constructive gaming, India has taken a bold step toward protecting its citizens while fostering innovation.
The Act's most significant achievement lies in its unflinching stance against real-money gaming platforms that have wreaked havoc on Indian families. The statistics behind this decision are sobering: India recorded about 455 million online gamers in 2023, with approximately 3.5 percent of Indian adolescents suffering from Internet gaming disorder.