Game over? Government tables bill to ban online real money gaming

The government has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to prohibit online games involving cash transactions and betting. Tabled by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the proposed law would ban all cash-based transactions for online betting and block banks from processing such funds. In response, the All India Gaming Federation has urged for regulation instead of a ban, cautioning that such a move could damage the industry, push players towards illegal platforms, and lead to job losses.