The New Online Gaming Bill: Prohibiting 'Money Games' while Promoting E-Sports
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Parliamentary Legislations, Centre-State Relations - Seventh Schedule, Fundamental Rights - Art. 19); Current events of national and international importance.
Key Highlights from the News
The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote.
The main objective of this bill is to ban online money games (online games involving money) such as fantasy sports and card games where money is invested.
This prohibition aims to prevent serious social evils caused by such games, including suicides, family breakdowns, financial losses, and mental health issues.
However, the bill provides for the establishment of a special authority to promote e-sports as an entertainment and creative industry.
The draft bill was passed without public consultation. The government's argument is that a prohibition law does not require consultation.
Legal experts point out that this law is likely to face a constitutional challenge due to its restriction on the fundamental right to trade (trade restriction) and disputes regarding legislative competence.
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