New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha has passed the Online Gaming Regulation Bill amid opposition protests, through a voice vote. The bill, cleared by the Union Cabinet earlier this week, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. It will become law once the President gives assent.
The bill seeks to curb rising addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud linked to online gaming. Once enforced, all money-based gaming transactions will be prohibited. Banks and financial institutions will not be allowed to process payments for such games.
Advertisements promoting gaming, including e-sports, will be banned. Strict action will be taken against unregistered or illegal gaming platforms.
Since October 2023, the government has imposed 28% GST on online gaming platforms, and from FY 2024-25, a 30% tax is levied on gaming winnings. Offshore operators have also been brought under Indian taxation.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, illegal betting has already been classified as a criminal offence, punishable with up to seven years in jail and heavy fines. The Ministry of Electronics and IT will act as the nodal regulator, with powers to block any unregistered or illegal gaming websites in India.
