Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025

India just rewrote the rules of play.

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In late August 2025, Parliament cleared the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, a sweeping law that bans real money online games while trying to nurture esports and non monetary titles. Supporters say it is a consumer protection win after years of addiction stories and messy disputes over what counts as skill. Critics warn it is a sledgehammer that could drive players to the shadows and scare off investment. The law moved fast through Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and received presidential assent soon after, a pace that surprised even seasoned policy watchers.