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Economic Times
28 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Online Gaming Bill: Cricket industry's revenue could be hit due to proposed ban on real money gaming
Synopsis The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025' threatens real money gaming platforms, potentially impacting sports sponsorships, especially in cricket. While the bill aims to regulate the burgeoning online gaming industry, it distinguishes between esports and real money gaming, favoring the former. The proposed legislation could lead to decreased revenue for fantasy gaming companies and affect player endorsements. Representational image The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025', which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, could spell the end of "real money gaming platforms", that have stakes in the sponsorship market of Indian sports, most significantly cricket. The contents of the bill, which aims to regulate one of the fastest growing industries, is music to the ears for the Esports fraternity in the country. But the multi-billion dollar fantasy gaming industry comprising companies that have spent big money in sponsorship of cricket might see a marked dip in their revenues. And as a chain reaction, it could also affect the sports sponsorship market, including individual players' sponsorship and franchise-based domestic leagues of disciplines like kabaddi and football. The Online gaming regulation bill looks to create a regulatory body that will look after four diverse segments -- Esports, educational gaming, social and casual gaming and real money gaming. Of these, there will be restrictions on online money games, states the document which is in possession of PTI. As per "PROHIBITIONS" clause: "No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money game and online money gaming service. "No bank, financial institution, or any other person facilitating financial transactions or authorisation of funds shall engage in, permit, aid, abet, induce or otherwise facilitate any transaction or authorisation of funds towards payment for any online money gaming service." The "OFFENCES AND PENALTIES" clause clearly terms real money gaming as a criminal offence which could lead to jail and humongous fine for the service provider. Clause 9. (1) reads "Any person who offers online money gaming service in contravention of section 5 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one crore rupees or with both. Clause 9. (2) reads: "Any person who makes or causes to make advertisement in any media, in contravention of section 6, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees or with both. The government makes it clear that real money gaming is leading to a lot of social problems and it needs some kind of regulation. "....the parallel proliferation of online money games accessible through mobile phones, computers and the internet, and offering monetary returns against user deposits has led to serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups; "...such games often use manipulative design features, addictive algorithms, bots and undisclosed agents, undermining fairness, transparency and user protection, while promoting compulsive behaviour leading to financial ruin." Implications of the Bill =============== Cricket is one sport which has seen a huge influx of real money gaming with Indian team's title sponsor being Dream 11. My11Circle is the official fantasy sports partner of the money-spinning Indian Premier League. Dream11 brought the Indian team's title rights for about USD 44 million (Rs 358 crore approx). My11Circle brought IPL fantasy gaming rights for a fee of Rs 625 crore for five years (Rs 125 crore approx annually). Add to this the country's top cricketers -- former as well as current -- have hefty personal endorsement deals with various real money gaming platforms. Noted sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has a deep understanding of the subject, explained the consequences in a nutshell. "Cricket is huge in India and there won't be any dearth of sponsors for Indian cricket and its properties. However, personal sponsorship market can shrink because of this bill. "Also fan engagement will be affected," Singhania told PTI. He, however, explained that fantasy games can still run a subscription based model. "There will be a subscription fee and say you pay Rs 100 for a gaming app and test your skills in fantasy gaming. But real money gaming which is paying and earning money, that is prohibited as per this bill." The gigantic revenue stream of all these fantasy gaming apps will certainly diminish due to the ban and hence money flowing back into the sport will decrease markedly. Joy for Esports Market ============== Esports made its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and the International Olympic Committee will be conducting its first Esport Olympics in Riyadh in 2027. Sharing his thoughts on this development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, "The government's intent to recognise 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 materialise, 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."
NDTV
28 minutes ago
- NDTV
'Rs 20,000 Crore Lost Every Year': Why Government Wants Online Gaming Bil
New Delhi: An estimated 45 crore people lose around Rs 20,000 crore every year playing online games, including gambling and betting games, government sources told NDTV Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed by the Lok Sabha. Sources said online gaming, specifically those involving money - either to place 'bets' or as subscription fees or to access in-game content - have become a 'major problem' with many MPs flagging concerns. And the government, having to choose between revenue from online gaming websites and the financial and mental welfare of the people, chose the latter, sources said. The proposed bill highlights concerns over addiction to games, fraud by game operators and developers, and inconsistences in state laws regarding gambling. It also proposes stricter oversight of gaming platforms, particularly those offering real-money games, such as poker. There are also concerns these are used to launder money or even finance terrorism. Sources said people who play these games are victims (and) will not be punished... but there will be action against those who run real money gaming platforms, facilitate transactions, etc. Last week, in connection with a federal investigation into illegal betting apps - which masquerade as 'a game of skill' to appear different from gambling games, which are outlawed by Indian laws - sources told NDTV this 'market' is worth Rs 8.3 lakh crore and is growing at 30 per cent annually. READ | Rs 8.3 Lakh Crore Market: Inside India's Illegal Online Betting Apps The new bill, introduced by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, creates a legal framework, including levying penalties for running gambling apps, to regulate these gambling platforms. These penalties include a three-year prison sentence, a fine of Rs 1 crore, or both for any person offering online money-based gaming services in violation of the law. And those advertising such endeavours may face a two-year jail term and/or pay a fine of Rs 50 lakh. NDTV Explains | Everything You Need To Know About Online Gaming Bill 2025 There are three main parts to this legislation, which suggests the establishment of a national-level 'Online Gaming Authority' to regulate digital gaming. This body will categorise and register games, decide which qualify as 'money games', and handle complaints from citizens. E-sports - Sources said the government is keen to promote e-sports, which refers to organised and competitive gaming involving users playing in a tournament or league format for prize money. The government wants to provide legal recognition to e-sports via this bill, sources said. The government intends to allocate funds to promote and maintain these activities, which account for two-thirds of the online gaming industry and will create jobs, sources also said. Online Social Games - Like e-sports, these will also be given legal recognition, sources said. The government hopes to use these games to send important socio-cultural messages, and developers and promoters of these games could receive financial support, sources also said. Online social games also include multiplayer games like Fortnite, Counter-Strike, Minecraft, etc., which most frequently involve real-time interaction with other players. By promoting both - i.e., e-sports and safe online social games - the government hopes India will become a global hub for video game development, both coding and creative. Online Money Games - Strict provisions have been included for action against companies that promote online gambling or betting, sources said. Action will also be taken against those who advertise such platforms, which will increase scrutiny on celebrities who were, or are being, questioned over links to online betting apps. READ | Cricketers Harbhajan, Yuvraj Singh Questioned Over Illegal Betting App Ads Overall, the government is in the process of tightening the online gaming sector. This has included imposing a 28 per cent tax on online gaming activities since October 2023. Winnings were taxed at 30 per cent starting from the 2024-25 financial year. Offshore gaming platforms have been brought under the tax net and unregistered or illegal gaming sites - over 1,500 for betting and gambling since 2022 - have been blocked.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Online Gaming Bill: Cricket industry's revenue could be hit due to proposed ban on real money gaming
The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 ', which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, could spell the end of "real money gaming platforms", that have stakes in the sponsorship market of Indian sports, most significantly cricket. The contents of the bill, which aims to regulate one of the fastest growing industries, is music to the ears for the Esports fraternity in the country. But the multi-billion dollar fantasy gaming industry comprising companies that have spent big money in sponsorship of cricket might see a marked dip in their revenues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Launch your PM career IITD PM Apply Now And as a chain reaction, it could also affect the sports sponsorship market, including individual players' sponsorship and franchise-based domestic leagues of disciplines like kabaddi and football. The Online gaming regulation bill looks to create a regulatory body that will look after four diverse segments -- Esports, educational gaming, social and casual gaming and real money gaming. Live Events Of these, there will be restrictions on online money games, states the document which is in possession of PTI. As per "PROHIBITIONS" clause: "No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money game and online money gaming service. "No bank, financial institution, or any other person facilitating financial transactions or authorisation of funds shall engage in, permit, aid, abet, induce or otherwise facilitate any transaction or authorisation of funds towards payment for any online money gaming service." The "OFFENCES AND PENALTIES" clause clearly terms real money gaming as a criminal offence which could lead to jail and humongous fine for the service provider. Clause 9. (1) reads "Any person who offers online money gaming service in contravention of section 5 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one crore rupees or with both. Clause 9. (2) reads: "Any person who makes or causes to make advertisement in any media, in contravention of section 6, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees or with both. The government makes it clear that real money gaming is leading to a lot of social problems and it needs some kind of regulation. "....the parallel proliferation of online money games accessible through mobile phones, computers and the internet, and offering monetary returns against user deposits has led to serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups; "...such games often use manipulative design features, addictive algorithms, bots and undisclosed agents, undermining fairness, transparency and user protection, while promoting compulsive behaviour leading to financial ruin." Implications of the Bill =============== Cricket is one sport which has seen a huge influx of real money gaming with Indian team's title sponsor being Dream 11. My11Circle is the official fantasy sports partner of the money-spinning Indian Premier League. Dream11 brought the Indian team's title rights for about USD 44 million (Rs 358 crore approx). My11Circle brought IPL fantasy gaming rights for a fee of Rs 625 crore for five years (Rs 125 crore approx annually). Add to this the country's top cricketers -- former as well as current -- have hefty personal endorsement deals with various real money gaming platforms. Noted sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has a deep understanding of the subject, explained the consequences in a nutshell. "Cricket is huge in India and there won't be any dearth of sponsors for Indian cricket and its properties. However, personal sponsorship market can shrink because of this bill. "Also fan engagement will be affected," Singhania told PTI. He, however, explained that fantasy games can still run a subscription based model. "There will be a subscription fee and say you pay Rs 100 for a gaming app and test your skills in fantasy gaming. But real money gaming which is paying and earning money, that is prohibited as per this bill." The gigantic revenue stream of all these fantasy gaming apps will certainly diminish due to the ban and hence money flowing back into the sport will decrease markedly. Joy for Esports Market ============== Esports made its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and the International Olympic Committee will be conducting its first Esport Olympics in Riyadh in 2027. Sharing his thoughts on this development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, "The government's intent to recognise 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 materialise, 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."
