Lok Sabha passes Online Gaming Bill to promote esports

The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill on Wednesday. The bill encourages e-sports and online social games but bans all online gambling for money, including related services, ads, and financial transactions.

Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the Bill aims to protect society while supporting legitimate online gaming. He added that the government always prioritizes society over revenue and urged members to pass it unanimously. The Bill was passed by voice vote despite some Opposition protests.

Read also- FincFriends appoints Vishal Bhatia as its new CFO

Vaishnaw categorized online gaming into three types. E-sports, which require strategy and teamwork, and social games like Solitaire, Chess, and Sudoku are seen as educational and fun. But online money games are dangerous, causing addiction, financial loss, fraud, and even suicides, along with risks like money laundering and terror financing.

The Bill states that players of online money games won’t be punished. Only the service providers, advertisers, promoters, and financial backers will face legal action. Offences can lead to up to three years in prison and/or a fine of Rs 1 crore. 

Advertising violations may bring up to two years in prison and/or Rs 50 lakh fine, with repeat offences punishable by three to five years in prison and fines up to Rs 2 crore. Major offences will be cognizable and non-bailable.

The government will allow authorised officers to investigate, search, and seize digital or physical property tied to offences. They can also enter premises and make arrests without a warrant in certain suspected violation cases.

Advertisment