The BRICS Times
PM Modi clarified that while gaming itself is not harmful, gambling is, stressing that India has the potential to lead the global gaming industry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the newly introduced law regulating online gaming, highlighting the urgent need for such legislation due to the rising cases of debt and suicides linked to gambling practices disguised as online games.
Describing it as a “major decision,” PM Modi emphasized that several online platforms, though labeled as games, were having a damaging effect on students and young people, and the government had a responsibility to protect the future generation.
Speaking at an interaction with teachers in New Delhi, the Prime Minister noted that online gaming in itself is not problematic, but when it turns into gambling, it becomes a serious concern. He pointed out that India has the ability to emerge as a leader in the global gaming market.
“It is a major decision because countless online games are negatively influencing our students. Many people were falling into debt, some even committing suicide,” PM Modi said, stressing how families had collapsed due to financial troubles caused by such platforms.
His remarks were in reference to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which strictly prohibits all kinds of money-based online gaming.
The Prime Minister underlined that many apps and platforms misleadingly present themselves as games, but are essentially gambling in disguise. “Unfortunately, they call it gaming, but it becomes gambling,” PM Modi said.
He further added that the NDA government at the Centre had the “political will” to bring this Bill forward and is “concerned about the country’s future.” According to him, the addictive nature of these money-based games was another pressing reason to regulate them. “Gaming in itself is not bad, but gambling is,” Modi reiterated.
The legislation, which was passed in both Houses of Parliament last month under the leadership of Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims not only to put an end to online money games but also to support the growth of eSports and socially engaging gaming.
Additionally, the Act imposes a complete ban on advertisements for online money games and prohibits banks and financial institutions from processing transactions linked to such activities.
The law specifically targets online games that require monetary deposits and promise financial rewards, bringing them under strict regulation. It states that promoting or facilitating money-based online gaming could result in imprisonment of up to three years or a penalty of up to ₹1 crore.
Industry stakeholders were informed during the first round of consultations with IT minister Vaishnaw that the government will release detailed rules and FAQs on the Online Gaming Act within the next three to four weeks.
