New Delhi, Aug 20 (NationPress) The ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025’ has sparked significant responses from industry leaders and legal professionals, who view it as both innovative and extensive.

The legislation not only acknowledges e-sports as a new competitive sport but also tackles serious societal issues including addiction, financial security, fraud, and money laundering.

Gaurav Sahay, Founding Partner of Arthashastra Legal, noted that the Bill is all-encompassing as it impacts the entire ecosystem—from service providers and facilitators to those who promote such games.

He emphasized that the framework aims to thwart fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing by banning all forms of real-money gaming, irrespective of whether they depend on skill or chance.

Additionally, financial institutions, payment intermediaries, and advertising platforms are prohibited from endorsing such games.

Sahay also pointed out the introduction of “aggravated liability” for repeat offenders, which entails stricter penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines.

Moreover, the Bill acknowledges e-sports as a separate category and proposes the establishment of a National e-Sports Authority and a National Gaming Authority to supervise regulations, classifications, investigations, and the blocking of illegal platforms.

Industry leaders in the gaming sector have welcomed the government's commitment to fostering e-sports. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, described the move as promising but underscored the necessity for precise definitions to differentiate between e-sports, social games, and real-money gaming.

“Ambiguity in terminology has frequently led to confusion for regulators, players, and investors. Clear definitions will cultivate a stable environment that promotes investor confidence and sustainable growth,” he stated.

Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, deemed the Bill a “historic turning point” for Indian e-sports.

He remarked that by clearly differentiating skill-based gaming from betting, the law protects the ecosystem's integrity while allowing for structured growth.

“E-sports is a discipline rooted in skill, dedication, and years of effort. With governmental recognition and adequate infrastructure, India has the potential to emerge as a global powerhouse,” he added.

Legal analysts have indicated that the Bill marks a transition from regulation to prohibition concerning real-money gaming.

Vikram Jeet Singh, Partner at BTG Advaya, mentioned that while Indian law has typically permitted skill-based games with monetary stakes, the new law outright bans such activities if they involve real-money play.

He observed that this aligns with recent judicial rulings and addresses concerns regarding money laundering and social damage.

The Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) has expressed its endorsement of the government’s initiative, welcoming the acknowledgment of e-sports and the distinction drawn between real-money gaming and casual video games.

The organization stated that this clarity will enable e-sports and casual gaming to flourish as secure and community-driven platforms for youth engagement, creativity, and digital innovation.