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The Union Cabinet, led by PM Modi, approved the Online Gaming Bill, making online betting a punishable offence. The bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The bill also bars celebrities and influencers from endorsing or promoting betting-related gaming applications.
The Union Cabinet has cleared the much-awaited Online Gaming Bill, which seeks to regulate misuse of online gaming platforms and curb illegal betting activities that could pose risks to national security, sources told CNN-News18.
According to sources, the proposed legislation introduces strict provisions for penalty, punishment, and even banning of online games involving betting or gambling. Importantly, celebrities will not be allowed to endorse or promote betting-related gaming apps, with legal action planned against violators.
The bill, which is expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha tomorrow, aims to draw a clear line between entertainment-focused online games and those involving money and wagering. Normal online games will not face restrictions and may even be considered as part of global Olympiads in the next 10 years.
On the taxation front, the government is also exploring the possibility of bringing betting-related gaming apps under the GST category of “sin goods,” which could attract a levy as high as 40%, the sources added.
The move is part of the Centre’s broader effort to regulate the fast-growing online gaming industry, prevent misuse, and ensure safeguards against financial fraud and other unlawful activities.
Significantly, the bill also bars celebrities and influencers from endorsing or promoting betting-related gaming applications. Any violation of this provision will invite legal action.
The government has stepped up its scrutiny of the online gaming sector in recent years. Since October 2023, a 28% GST has been levied on online gaming, while player winnings have been taxed at 30% starting FY 2024–25. The tax net has also been extended to offshore platforms, with authorities empowered to block unregistered or illegal sites.
India’s Online Gaming Industry To Reach $9.1 Billion By 2029
India’s online gaming industry is projected to more than double to $9.1 billion by 2029, driven primarily by real-money games, according to a joint report by WinZO Games and IEIC released Wednesday at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.
The report estimated the market size at $3.7 billion in 2024, with real-money gaming contributing nearly 86% of revenues.
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als…Read More
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als… Read More
Read More
