Online Gaming Bill Gets Parliament Nod: What Happens To Real-Money Games Now? | India News - News18
Cleared by both Houses in just two days, the Online Gaming Bill explicitly bans all real-money online games—fantasy sports, rummy, poker and more, regardless of skill or chance Ban on online money gaming: The Bill prohibits offering, aiding, abetting, or promoting online money gaming services in India. It includes a complete ban on advertisements and a bar on financial institutions from processing transactions for such platforms. Applicable to all forms of betting: Importantly, the ban applies to all forms of online betting and gambling, including fantasy sports, poker, rummy, card games, and online lotteries—regardless of whether they are based on skill, chance, or a combination of both.Criminal penalties: Violations are non-bailable and carry steep penalties. Offering or operating online money games could result in up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, while advertising or sponsoring them may attract up to two years in prison or a Rs 50 lakh fine.Games aligned with Indian cultural values, digital literacy, and skill development will be promoted under a central framework. The Bill also calls for the creation of a national-level Online Gaming Authority, or the designation of an existing body to oversee implementation.Prominent companies in the sector, including Dream11, Gameskraft, MPL, Games24x7, Nazara Technologies, Zupee, and WinZO, have also clarified that they do not engage in betting, gambling, money laundering, or terror financing.