Parliament has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it through a voice vote a day after approval by the Lok Sabha.
The legislation goes beyond prohibiting the operation of money-based online games. It also places a blanket ban on advertising, sponsorships, and financial facilitation linked to such platforms—changes that directly impact media houses, advertisers and brand partners.
Under the law, promoting or advertising online money games could lead to imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to ₹50 lakh. Facilitating financial transactions for these games carries penalties of up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to ₹1 crore. Repeat offences could invite three to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹2 crore.
Tabling the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said: “The money-gaming addiction is like drug addiction. The powerful people behind online money games will challenge the decision in 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.”
The move will have significant repercussions for media and advertising, given that fantasy sports, card-based platforms and online lotteries have been among the most aggressive digital advertisers in India. According to industry reports, fantasy sports platforms in particular have been among the top spenders across television, OTT, print and influencer-led campaigns, especially around marquee events such as the IPL.
The bill also restricts banks and financial institutions from facilitating transactions tied to these platforms. For brands, this effectively rules out any formal association, sponsorship or cross-promotion with online money-gaming operators.
During the Rajya Sabha session, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the passage of the bill without discussion, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned whether debate was possible amid ongoing protests. Alongside debate on this bill, the Opposition also pressed for discussion on the Election Commission’s revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
By the bill’s definition, an online money game is one in which a user deposits money with the expectation of monetary or other enrichment. The ban, therefore, extends across the ecosystem, covering poker, rummy, fantasy sports, lotteries and other betting-based formats.
With key offences under the legislation made cognisable and non-bailable, India’s online money-gaming sector—once a high-profile advertising category—now faces an abrupt halt in operations and visibility.
