THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 20: Amid opposition uproar in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill, 2025.
However, opposition MPs kept raising slogans demanding a discussion on the Bihar SIR issue, which the Speaker ignored.
According to sources, the bill includes provisions for punishment against gaming service providers, advertisers, promoters, and financial backers.
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Those offering online money gaming services may face up to three years in jail, a fine of ₹1 crore, or both. However, no penalties will apply to players or victims of such games.
It is significant that the Modi government had earlier imposed a 30 per cent income tax on winnings from online games, along with 28 per cent GST effective from October 1, 2023.
Reports suggest the opposition refused to participate in discussions on the bill, insisting that the House must first debate the Bihar SIR issue. The continuous protests forced repeated adjournments.
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When proceedings resumed at 5 pm, Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw moved the proposal for the bill to be passed, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha despite opposition sloganeering. After the passage of the bill, the House was adjourned till 11 am the next day.
