Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for the legislation. He stated that the bill is designed to safeguard society from the negative impacts of online gambling. In a post on X, PM Modi also indicated that the bill would foster the growth of e-sports and online social games.
“This Bill, approved by both Houses of Parliament, underscores our dedication to establishing India as a hub for gaming, innovation, and creativity. It will promote e-sports and online social games while concurrently shielding our society from the detrimental effects of online money games,” PM Modi said.
The Rajya Sabha approved ‘The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025’ on Thursday amidst continued protests in the house. The Online Gaming Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and was passed by voice vote. The minister explained the bill’s goals, stating that the government intends to encourage online social games and esports.
The Online Gaming Bill 2025 prohibits online games that involve monetary stakes, addressing concerns like financial losses and addiction. It institutes a comprehensive ban on all forms of online betting and gambling. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of online gaming in the digital sphere. He described three segments: e-sports, promoting teamwork and strategic thinking; online social games like solitaire and Sudoku; and emphasized the bill’s aim to promote and provide legal recognition for these activities.
The Parliament Monsoon Session, which began on July 21, 2025, concluded on Thursday.