{"id":6432,"date":"2025-08-19T20:28:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/19\/no-celebrity-endorsements-heavy-penalties-cabinet-clears-online-gaming-bill-business-news\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T20:28:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:28:25","slug":"no-celebrity-endorsements-heavy-penalties-cabinet-clears-online-gaming-bill-business-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/19\/no-celebrity-endorsements-heavy-penalties-cabinet-clears-online-gaming-bill-business-news\/","title":{"rendered":"No Celebrity Endorsements, Heavy Penalties: Cabinet Clears Online Gaming Bill | Business News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9514697\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">August 19, 2025, 17:09 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9514697\" class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105 asubttl-schema\">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.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c artsharwrp\">\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c flwonstk\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en-btn\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"margin:0 12px 0 0\" class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/gogole-serarch-btn.svg\" width=\"94px\" height=\"30px\" style=\"vertical-align:top\" class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" class=\"jsx-f62078ffd315d67c lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The bill also bars celebrities and influencers from endorsing or promoting betting-related gaming applications.\" title=\"The bill also bars celebrities and influencers from endorsing or promoting betting-related gaming applications.\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The bill also bars celebrities and influencers from endorsing or promoting betting-related gaming applications.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">On the taxation front, the government is also exploring the possibility of bringing betting-related gaming apps under the GST category of \u201csin goods,&#8221; which could attract a levy as high as 40%, the sources added.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">The move is part of the Centre\u2019s broader effort to regulate the fast-growing online gaming industry, prevent misuse, and ensure safeguards against financial fraud and other unlawful activities.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">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\u201325. The tax net has also been extended to offshore platforms, with authorities empowered to block unregistered or illegal sites.<\/p>\n<h3>India\u2019s Online Gaming Industry To Reach $9.1 Billion By 2029<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p data-start=\"151\" data-end=\"408\">India\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"410\" data-end=\"533\">The report estimated the market size at $3.7 billion in 2024, with real-money gaming contributing nearly 86% of revenues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"authorimg\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2022\/11\/wfrgtvi6_400x400.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/pallavi-ghosh-10994.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Pallavi Ghosh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>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&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105 artcta\">Stay updated with all the latest business news, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/business\/markets\/\">market trends<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/topics\/stocks-to-watch\/\">stock updates<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/business\/tax\/\">tax<\/a>, IPO,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/business\/banking-finance\/\">banking finance<\/a>, real estate, savings and investments. To Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates. <a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Also <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Download the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/eng-article-eop\">News18 App<\/a> to stay updated.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/business\/\">business<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> No Celebrity Endorsements, Heavy Penalties: Cabinet Clears Online Gaming Bill<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-4625396a04d15488 jsx-2184777105 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/business\/union-cabinet-clears-online-gaming-bill-betting-to-be-punishable-offence-ws-el-9514697.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 17:09 IST 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&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6432\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}