Big negative for Gaming Industry - Real money gaming may have blanket ban

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 1) This bill completely bans online money gaming, whether it is based on skill or chance. Such games are considered harmful and addictive. Any platform or individual running or promoting them can be blocked under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which lets the government restrict access to illegal online content. 2) Bill suggests creating a National e-Sports Authority to oversee and promote competitive gaming. This body will make rules for fair play, set standards, ensure that regulations are followed, and work with state governments to include e-sports in their policies. 3) The bill also highlights how e-sports can boost the economy by bringing in both foreign and domestic investment, generating jobs, and helping India become a global centre for competitive gaming. 4) Online social games are digital games played on the internet that do not involve money or stakes. These games will have to be registered with a new regulatory authority, which will maintain a list of approved games, check compliance, and issue guidelines on what formats are allowed. 5) On the other side, this is very important as well, the Bill completely bans online money gaming, whether it is based on skill or chance. Such games are considered harmful and addictive. Any platform or individual running or promoting them can be blocked under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which lets the government restrict access to illegal online content. 6) This could badly affect listed and unlisted stocks and the whole industry in a big way 7) Now, India’s top gaming bodies All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF) and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) have urged Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, warning that banning real-money skill games could cripple a Rs 2 lakh crore industry, cost Rs 20,000 crore in taxes, deter FDI, end 200,000 jobs. - Stock on radar