Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755846526930niek-doup-eMifpRdFOQU-unsplash.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Niek Doup, Unsplash</span></span></span></div><p>India&#x27;s parliament has passed a sweeping law banning online gambling, after government figures showed 450 million people lost a combined $2.3 billion annually on apps.</p><p>The ban impacts platforms for card games, poker and fantasy sports, including India&#x27;s wildly popular homegrown fantasy cricket apps.</p><p>The government said roughly a third of the world&#x27;s most populous country had lost money gambling online.</p><p>The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was passed by both houses of parliament late on Thursday, and criminalises the offering, promotion and financing of such games, with offenders facing up to five years in prison.</p><p>&quot;This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth,&quot; a government statement said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/8/20/tiktok-hits-pause-on-online-gambling-ads-1859">TikTok hits pause on online gambling ads</a></div><p>India&#x27;s wider gaming industry is one of the largest markets in the world, but the new law carves out exceptions for e-sports and educational games, which the government says will be promoted as part of the digital economy.</p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the new law will &quot;encourage e-sports and online social games&quot; while &quot;at the same time, it will save our society from the harmful effects of online money games.&quot;</p><p>Industry groups had urged regulation and taxation rather than a blanket ban, warning the move could drive players to illegal offshore platforms.</p><p>But supporters of the bill argue the social costs are too high to allow.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/solons-grill-pagcor-on-growing-online-gambling-addiction-in-ph-1702">Solons grill PAGCOR on growing online gambling addiction in PH</a></div><p>Officials said the rapid spread of gambling platforms had caused widespread financial distress, addiction and even suicide.</p><p>The government said it had also been linked to fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing.</p><p>Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of technology, noted the law differentiates between online &quot;social&quot; games and those played for money.</p><p>&quot;It encourages e-sports, which are organised competitive video games, and promotes safe online social and educational games&quot;, a government briefing note read.</p><p>&quot;It clearly separates constructive digital recreation from betting, gambling and fantasy money games that exploit users with false promises of profit.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/20/pagcor-over-60-pct-of-online-gambling-sites-accessed-in-the-philippines-illegal-1300">Pagcor: Over 60 pct of online gambling sites accessed in the Philippines &#x27;illegal&#x27;</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/online-cockfighting-thrives-in-philippines-despite-ban-and-murders-1125">Online cockfighting thrives in Philippines despite ban and murders</a></div>

<p>India's parliament has passed a sweeping law banning online gambling, after government figures showed 450 million people lost a combined $2.3 billion annually on apps.</p>

India's parliament has passed a sweeping law banning online gambling, after government figures showed 450 million people lost a combined $2.3 billion annually on apps.

India bans vast online gambling industry

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

World

India bans vast online gambling industry

Agence France-Presse

Published August 22, 2025 03:10 PM PHT

Read More:

gambling

online gambling

India

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.