Lok Sabha Question No. 4191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Ban on Online Money Games
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4191 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## BAN ON ONLINE MONEY GAMES

## 4191. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

(a)  the  specific  mechanisms  established  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  complete  ban  on  online  money games as mandated by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025;

- (b) the timeline for establishing the training academies, research centres and technology platforms mentioned in the Bill;

(c) the specific criteria established for categorising and registering 'social and educational games' under the new Gaming Act; and

(d) whether any incentive schemes have been launched to promote indigenous-sports training academies and infrastructure and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

## (a) to (d)

The Government is committed to ensuring a safe, responsible and accountable online gaming ecosystem in the country. In this context, the Government has enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 ('Gaming Act') with the objective of promoting innovation in  e-sports  and  online  social  games  and prohibiting online money games.

The Gaming Act comprehensively prohibits all forms of online money games, whether involving games of chance,  games  of  skill,  or  any  combination  thereof.  It  also  prohibits  the  advertising,  promotion,  and facilitation of such games, as well as the processing of related financial transactions through banks or payment systems. The Act further empowers authorities to block access to unlawful platforms under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The Gaming Act also prescribes stringent penalties for violations. Offering online money games or facilitating financial transactions for such online money games may attract imprisonment of up to three years or a fine up to  one  crore  rupees  or  both.  Second/Subsequent  conviction for offering or facilitating online money  games may attract a minimum of 3 years of imprisonment which may extend up to 5 years and a fine of minimum one  crore  rupees  which  may  extend  up  to  two  crore  rupees.  Advertising  such  online  money  games  is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine up to fifty lakh rupees or both. Second/Subsequent conviction for advertising such online money games may attract a minimum of 2 years of imprisonment which may extend up to 3 years and a fine of minimum fifty lakh rupees which may extend up to one crore rupees.

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  Gaming  Act  also  provides  for  the  recognition  and  promotion  of  e-sports  and online social  games,  the  establishment  of  the  Online  Gaming  Authority  of  India,  a  transparent  registration mechanism for online games, a grievance-redressal system for users, and safeguards against prohibited online money games and associated harms.

The national-level  Online Gaming Authority will be responsible for classifying and registering permissible games,  determining  whether  a  game  constitutes  a  money  game,  issuing  codes  of  practice,  and  addressing public grievances. By empowering a central regulatory authority, the Act aims to provide coordinated policy support,  effective  oversight,  and  to  position  India  as  a  global  leader  in  the  online  gaming  domain,  while ensuring that technological growth aligns with the national interest and the principles of consumer protection.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has published the draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 for public consultation on 2 nd October, 2025, which seeks to operationalize the Gaming  Act.  Feedback  comments  from  public  including  stakeholders  have  been  invited  in  line  with  the Government's commitment of inclusive approach towards law-making.

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