Parliament Passes Bill Banning Online Money Gaming Amid Protests
The government passed a bill banning online money gaming, imposing strict punishments and prohibiting advertisements. The Opposition protested the lack of debate, raising concerns about democratic transparency and freedom versus social harm.
Parliament on Friday approved a contentious bill to prohibit the operation, facilitation, and advertisement of online games involving monetary stakes. The move, however, sparked uproar from the Opposition, which alleged that the legislation was pushed through without proper debate.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was adopted in the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote, a day after its clearance in the Lok Sabha. This law prescribes strict punishments, including imprisonment of up to three years and/or fines reaching Rs 1 crore, for those engaging in enabling money gaming.
Presenting the bill in the Upper House, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, “The money-gaming addiction is like drug addiction. The powerful people behind online money games will challenge the decision in the courts. They will run social media campaigns against this ban. We have seen the impact of games and how the money is used to support terror.”
Despite his remarks, Opposition members, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly objected to the lack of discussion. Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government, questioning how meaningful deliberation could be amid the Opposition’s relentless protests. Apart from seeking a debate on this bill, the Opposition also demanded a discussion on the Election Commission’s special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The legislation defines an online money game as one in which participants deposit money with the hope of winning financial or other forms of enrichment. It explicitly outlaws all online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, poker, rummy, card games, and online lotteries.
Furthermore, the bill bans all forms of advertising related to online money games. Financial institutions and banks are strictly barred from processing transactions linked to these activities. Advertising violations could invite imprisonment of up to two years and/or fines up to Rs 50 lakh. Facilitating transactions for such platforms may lead to penalties of up to three years in jail and/or fines reaching Rs 1 crore. Repeat offenders face harsher consequences, including imprisonment between three and five years and fines up to Rs 2 crore.
Crucially, offences under the primary sections of this bill are categorized as cognizable and non-bailable, signaling the government’s intent to treat them with utmost severity.
By outlawing money-driven gaming ecosystems, the government aims to curb societal hazards such as gambling dependency, illicit profiteering, and even the pernicious nexus between such games and organized crime. Critics, however, argue the bill bypassed democratic scrutiny, sparking a fresh debate on balancing legislative sanctity with individual liberties.
