A Commendable Law to Control the Menace of Online Gaming

– Lalit Garg –

The expansion of the internet has undoubtedly brought numerous conveniences to modern life, but along with these benefits, it has also unleashed several serious challenges. Among the gravest of these is the growing addiction to online gaming or more specifically, money gaming. It is true that gaming can serve as a source of entertainment, but once money is linked to it, the line between entertainment and gambling vanishes, and it transforms directly into betting and wagering. The bitter truth is that online money gaming, once it becomes an addiction, has the potential to devastate even wealthy families, leaving them bankrupt. According to one report, in just a single year, 450 million Indians collectively lost nearly 20,000 crore rupees. Tragically, there have also been cases where individuals, having lost everything, ended their lives. Serious questions have long been raised about the transparency of these platforms that lure people with promises of quick money. It was in response to these concerns and the tragic realities surrounding them that the Government of India introduced the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill 2025 during the current monsoon session of Parliament. The bill, which has now been passed without much debate, declares any online game involving monetary transactions illegal. This is a welcome step, for the business of online gaming has grown into a multi-billion-rupee industry, destroying both finances and mental peace of millions of young people.

The present situation is alarming: online gaming is not only wasting time and money, but it is also tearing apart family and social relationships. School and college students are neglecting their studies, losing themselves in this virtual world. A large section of the youth spends day and night immersed in gaming, which is leaving a deeply negative impact on their personality and future. This crisis is not merely economic—it is also psychological and social. Youngsters glued to their screens around the clock are becoming irritable, depressed, and socially withdrawn. In some cases, violent tendencies have surfaced. There have been shocking reports of teenagers turning aggressive or even resorting to suicide when stopped from playing. Online gaming is weakening bonds of friendship and family, destroying trust, and isolating individuals. A whole generation, instead of contributing to nation-building, is squandering its energy and creativity in this virtual form of gambling. The government has clarified that it is eager to encourage e-sports and social gaming, provided they carry no financial risks. It is worth noting that online gaming already generates annual revenues of over ₹31,000 crore and contributes more than ₹20,000 crore annually in direct and indirect taxes. Yet the darker side of the industry cannot be ignored: many gaming apps entice people with glittering promises, only to trap them in addiction, financial loss, and even money laundering. This is why many unfortunate users, after losing their life savings, are driven to despair and even suicide. By imposing a complete ban on money gaming despite the huge revenue at stake, the government has indeed taken a bold and risky decision.

However, an important question remains—can legislation alone curb this menace? The vast reach of the internet and the involvement of foreign operators may undermine the objectives of this bill. Safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, as well as the security and sovereignty of the nation, is essential. Observers believe that the urgency of this law was heightened by the infamous ₹6,000-crore Mahadev Online Betting Scam, currently under investigation by the CBI and ED. Several senior politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh have been accused of ties with UAE-based promoters of the betting app, who are also suspected of hawala operations and cross-border money laundering. This move by the Indian government is not only timely but also highly relevant, considering that the turnover of the industry has already reached staggering levels, accompanied by economic, social, and national distortions. Foreign companies are aggressively targeting Indian youth with flashy advertisements and irresistible offers. Youngsters, lured by promises of easy wins, are staking their bright futures. This trend not only ruins individual lives but also hampers national progress, for the very youth who should be channeling their energy into education, science, technology, and nation-building are instead squandering it in this virtual gambling trap.

The need of the hour is to treat this problem not only as a legal issue but also as a social and familial challenge. Parents must guide and counsel their children, steering them towards creative and positive activities. Society, too, must unite to resolve that this destructive culture of gambling under the guise of entertainment should not be allowed to spread further. While the government has indeed taken a commendable step by passing a law to regulate online gaming, awareness is even more important than legislation. Unless people themselves recognize the dangers of this gambling addiction, no law can succeed in eradicating it. We must now expose the reality of this fraudulent trend, rescue our youth from it, and guide them towards constructive and secure futures. Countless families today are being driven into debt and despair because of their children’s addiction to online games. Let us be clear: betting money on these platforms in the name of play is nothing but gambling. The chances of winning are fleeting, while the chances of losing are almost certain. Millions of young people are pouring their hard-earned money—or their parents’ savings—into the coffers of these companies. This addiction is now even more dangerous than traditional gambling, because the glamour of technology and the ease of access have made the youth more vulnerable than ever before.

It is no secret that the market for online gaming has exploded in recent years. Advertisements, glitzy promotions, and tempting offers have ensnared millions, leading them to risk their education, careers, and families. Gaming, when limited to pure entertainment, has value. But the moment money and greed are involved, it ceases to be a game and becomes gambling—and that is where destruction begins. The reality is that the web of online gaming has spread so wide that it cannot be dismantled by law alone. Strict enforcement must be paired with social awareness and family-level intervention. A practical solution lies in imposing strict regulations, heavy taxation, and ensuring transparency and accountability for all platforms. Illegal operators must face stiff penalties, and even celebrities who promote such platforms through misleading endorsements must be held accountable. Only then will this law be truly effective.