India's Video Gaming Industry Welcomes Online Gaming Bill 2025

The Union Government has introduced the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025' in the Lok Sabha. The Bill aims to promote and regulate esports, educational, and social games, while completely prohibiting the offering, operation, facilitation, advertisement, promotion, and participation in online money games. Under the Bill, "e-sport" is defined as an online game played as part of multi-sport events, involving organized competitive competitions between individuals or teams. These events are conducted in multiplayer formats under pre-defined rules and recognized under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. 

It clearly states that outcomes in esports are determined solely by players' skills, including physical dexterity, mental agility, and strategic thinking.

Moreover, the Bill states that the Central Government will take steps to promote esports, including setting guidelines for events, establishing training and research institutions, introducing incentive and awareness programs, coordinating with State Governments and sports federations, and implementing other measures to support the sector's growth.

The Bill also defines "online money game" as any online game, based on skill, chance, or both, where a user pays fees, deposits money, or stakes something with the expectation of winning monetary or other rewards. Importantly, this definition does not include esports.

By clearly distinguishing esports from online money games and gambling, it provides the legal recognition and legitimacy that athletes, creators, and gaming organizations have long awaited. With the support of the government, players and creators can now pursue esports professionally with confidence, while the ecosystem benefits from structured support, training programs, and guidelines that promote sustainable growth and innovation.

Sharing his thoughts on this development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, "The government's intent to recognize and promote esports, as highlighted in the recent bill, is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem. However, for this vision to truly materialize, it is critical that the terminology used in the bill, particularly the distinctions between esports, online gaming, online social gaming, and online money gaming be clearly defined and uniformly understood. The absence of precise definitions has often led to ambiguity and conflation around the term "esports". Such overlaps can create confusion not just for regulators, but also for players, teams, investors, and organizers who are working hard to build this industry."

As a global leader in youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, NODWIN Gaming organizes some of India's biggest youth entertainment and esports events, including DreamHack India, Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender, and India's only currently televised esports tournament, BGMI Master Series.

"Clear and consistent definitions will create a strong regulatory foundation that ensures investor confidence, long-term stability, and sustainable growth. It will allow every stakeholder from athletes and teams to platforms and video game publishers to operate with clarity and confidence, knowing the industry's guardrails are well established. This alignment between government intent and regulatory clarity will ensure that India doesn't just participate in the global esports movement, but establishes itself as one of its leading powerhouses," further adds Rathee.

India has also been making significant strides in international esports tournaments. S8UL, the only Indian organization currently competing in 13 different esports titles, became the nation's first and only team to be selected among 40 of the world's best esports teams for the Club Partner Program of the USD 70 million prize pool Esports World Cup (EWC).

"This bill marks a historic turning point for Indian esports. By drawing a clear line between skill-based competitive gaming and betting, it safeguards the integrity of our ecosystem while opening doors for structured growth. Esports is a sport- built on skill, discipline and years of grind. With government recognition and the right infrastructure, India is now poised to become a global powerhouse in esports and gaming culture," shares Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL Esports.

Esports is already entering the mainstream in India, marked by its debut in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 earlier this year. States like Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also actively promoted grassroots esports through championships and structured programs, signaling growing recognition of competitive gaming as a legitimate sport.

By providing legal clarity, promoting skill-based competition, and supporting ecosystem growth through structured initiatives, the Online Gaming Bill 2025 not only safeguards the interests of players and creators but also positions India as a rising global leader in competitive gaming. The industry, its athletes, and content creators now have the foundation to thrive professionally, attract investment, and contribute to building a sustainable, world-class esports ecosystem.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)