India, Aug. 20 -- The Indian government has proposed a new bill that aims to ban online games where users pay money to win a monetary prize. The new legislation, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, approved by the Union Cabinet for presentation in parliament, aims to criminalise online betting and is rooted in concerns about addiction, debt, mental health, and financial fraud.

The government cites concerns about online gaming addiction, financial fraud, and a growing number of cases where players fall into debt. An official note on the bill states that the unchecked rise of these games has led to "debt traps, suicides and mental health issues." Authorities also point to national security risks, including the use of ...