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Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reportedly said that online gaming platforms have, at times, been misused for laundering funds and terror financing

He also highlighted that a host of online money gaming operators functioning from offshore hubs bypass state-specific rules and skip tax obligations

The Union Cabinet approved online gaming bill which will impose a blanket ban on online games with a monetary component

Explaining the rationale behind the Centre’s move to table a Bill that proposes to ban real-money gaming, Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reportedly said that such platforms have, at times, been misused for laundering funds, terror financing and as messaging tools for terrorist groups.

The minister further highlighted that a host of online money gaming operators functioning from offshore hubs bypass state-specific rules, skip tax obligations and pose challenges for enforcement agencies on cross-border grounds, a Bussiness report said.

In the Statement of Objections and Reasons, accompanying the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025,” Vaishnaw said, “In certain cases, these platforms have been linked to illegal activities including money-laundering, financial fraud, the financing of terrorism, and use as messaging platform for terrorist and terrorist organisations, thereby affecting the security and sovereignty of the state.”

Yesterday, the Cabinet approved this legislation, which will impose a blanket ban on online games with a monetary component, noting they lead to suicides due to financial losses, besides addiction among children and the youth.

(The story will be updated soon)