- India introduces the Online Gaming Bill 2025, separating esports from real money games.
- Esports officially recognized as competitive sport with support initiatives planned.
- Real money games banned due to addiction and financial harm risks.
India has taken a major step in shaping the future of its gaming industry. The Union Government of India recently introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to give esports and casual video games clear recognition while drawing a strict line against real-money games and gambling apps.
Esports is officially recognized as a competitive sport, free from gambling elements
The 14-page bill makes it clear that esports will be treated as a sport in the country. Esports will include organized competitions between teams or individuals, based on skill, strategy, and rules, without any form of betting or gambling.
On the other hand, the bill takes a hard stance against real money games. These are games where you deposit money or stake something valuable with the hope of winning cash or rewards. Apps like fantasy cricket platforms, which gained massive popularity and investment over the years, fall into this category.
The Government has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 to boost innovation and ensure citizen protection pic.twitter.com/DmXMgBJLnW
— IANS (@ians_india) August 20, 2025
The bill proposes a complete ban on such games, citing concerns around addiction, financial risks, and manipulative in-game designs that encourage compulsive behaviour. For players, note that regular video games and esports are safe, supported, and set for growth, while real money games face a strict ban.
Anyone caught offering or promoting money games could face jail time of up to three years, along with heavy fines. The Government of India had already planned to tackle gaming addiction by imposing time and spending limits, and with the gambling restrictions, this is a big move indeed.
Government plans to support esports growth with policies, training centers, and programs
This recognition is expected to give esports a big boost in India, with government support helping set up training centers, research programs, and better coordination with state authorities. Many states had already started working on these efforts, including the Gujarat Government, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, with its Esports academy.
The government itself is a big supporter of online games, where last year it had esports events featuring Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), eFootball Mobile, and World Cricket Championship 3.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged the country to take the lead in gaming and urged developers to create games that can appeal to audiences worldwide in last year’s Independence Day speech. He met with some of India’s top gaming creators, too, last year.
Just last month, Maharashtra also announced plans to tackle online gaming addiction, and it seems like the Centre is also marching towards similar ways. The industry was valued at $942 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2029, showing just how fast it’s growing.
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