As per a recent development, the Union Government has introduced the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025’ in Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to promote and regulate esports, educational and social games while completely prohibiting the offering, operation, facilitation, advertisement, promotion and participation in online money games.
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Online Gaming Bill 2025: Key highlights
– “E-sport” means an online game played as part of multi-sport events and involves organized competitive events between individuals or teams, conducted in multiplayer formats governed by pre-defined rules and recognized under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
– Outcomes of e-sports are determined solely by players’ skills such as physical dexterity, mental agility, or strategic thinking. Participation may involve entry fees and performance-based prizes, but no bets, wagers, or gambling are allowed.
– The Central Government will take necessary steps to recognize and register e-sports as a legitimate competitive sport in India and to promote its growth. These steps may include setting guidelines for events, establishing training and research institutions, introducing incentives and awareness programs, coordinating with State Governments and sports federations, and implementing other measures to support the development of the sector.
– “Online money game” means any online game, based on skill, chance, or both, where a user pays fees, deposits money, or stakes something with the expectation of winning monetary or other rewards. This definition does not include e-sports.
– No person shall offer, promote, or engage in online money games or online money gaming services. Similarly, no person shall create, cause, or be involved in any advertisement in any media, including electronic communication, that directly or indirectly encourages participation in online money games or promotes online money gaming.
Online Gaming Bill 2025 – India’s esports and video gaming industry welcomes clear distinction from real money games and gambling
1. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming
“The government’s intent to recognize and promote esports, as highlighted in the recent bill, is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem. However, for this vision to truly materialize, it is critical that the terminology used in the bill, particularly the distinctions between esports, online gaming, online social gaming, and online money gaming be clearly defined and uniformly understood. The absence of precise definitions has often led to ambiguity and conflation around the term “esports”. Such overlaps can create confusion not just for regulators, but also for players, teams, investors, and organizers who are working hard to build this industry.
Clear and consistent definitions will create a strong regulatory foundation that ensures investor confidence, long-term stability, and sustainable growth. It will allow every stakeholder from athletes and teams to platforms and video game publishers to operate with clarity and confidence, knowing the industry’s guardrails are well established. This alignment between government intent and regulatory clarity will ensure that India doesn’t just participate in the global esports movement, but establishes itself as one of its leading powerhouses.”
2. Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL
“This bill marks a historic turning point for Indian esports. By drawing a clear line between skill-based competitive gaming and betting, it safeguards the integrity of our ecosystem while opening doors for structured growth. Esports is a sport- built on skill, discipline and years of grind. With government recognition and the right infrastructure, India is now poised to become a global powerhouse in esports and gaming culture.
The focus must now be on developing infrastructure such as arenas, bootcamps, education programs, and scholarships to nurture the next generation of talent, whether competing on the world stage or shaping culture as gaming creators.”
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3. Rohit N Jagasia, Cofounder & CEO, Revenant Esports
“The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 is a welcome step toward resolving years of uncertainty in the sector. At present, a mix of state-level restrictions creates inconsistency. This bill helps bring a balance to that. With a central framework in place, we can unlock investment, foster innovation, and drive global competitiveness.The bill also recognises the crucial difference between esports, social gaming, and chance-driven money games. For esports in particular, that clarity is essential for growth and credibility. Once the detailed provisions are made public, we’ll have a clearer sense of its implications for esports. But it could well mark the start of India’s rise as an international esports leader.”
4. Deepak Ail, Co-Founder and CEO, Dot9Games
The government’s decision to provide a strong framework for gaming allows us to nurture original IP that represent and reflect our culture. Just like Indian movies act as cultural soft power, Indian games too can rise to that level. We’re all too happy to be a part of this mission to put India on the global gaming map.
5. Mansoor ‘Nabu’ Ahmed, CEO and Co-Founder, Aftermath Ventures
The focus on esports is welcome as it brings legitimacy to the craft. We applaud this move as it lets players focus on what they do best — performing. While it allows organisations like us to grow and build the next billion gamers.
6. Sumit Batheja, CEO and Co-Founder, Ginger Games
We applaud this decision as it allows us to focus on the ongoing concerns as a business — monetisation, retention, and most importantly, building great IP for India and the world, rather than having to explain to our audiences what we are to begin with.
7. Vishal Gondal, Co-Founder Ncore Games
I welcome the Govt’s decision to prohibit Real Money Gaming & establish a strong regulatory framework. Too many young lives were being lost to addiction & debt. This decisive step safeguards our youth while unlocking the future of Indian gaming — driven by original IP, creativity & Make in India games. Together, we can make India a global gaming superpower.
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