India could become the online gaming capital of the world and the government is looking to promote legitimate esports and game developers, says S Krishnan, secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The senior bureaucrat spoke with ET’s Surabhi Agarwal on a day when the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Edited excerpts:
What is the main issue the government is trying to address with the Gaming Bill?
The government is of the view that India has the potential to be the gaming hub of the world with many game developers and creators thriving. For this, the legitimate areas within online gaming need to be delineated, recognised and promoted; that is esports and online social games — both educational and recreational. The other real concern is online money gaming. These games involve staking money with uncertain outcomes, often blurring the line between skill and chance. They carry risks of addiction, money laundering and misuse through cryptocurrency. Regular online gaming, esports and creative gaming are not the problem; we want to encourage those.
The gaming industry will be badly hit…
Our position is clear: we are drawing a line between promoting innovation and esports on one side and regulating exploitative money gaming on the other. The aim is to safeguard people while also strengthening India’s gaming ecosystem.
Will esports and other skill-based formats be affected?
No. Esports, like chess and other globally recognised games, fall under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The government has also been actively promoting the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector through initiatives like the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai and the Centres of Excellence under Software Technology Parks of India. These will continue. Our restrictions are aimed only at harmful money games.
Industry representatives say this bill was a ‘shocker’ with no consultation. What’s your response?
Both sides of the industry have been making representations to us. Many legitimate players even requested an authority for regulation. The bill includes enabling provisions to support genuine businesses, and after it is tabled, consultations will happen while drafting the rules.
Critics argue that this is a state subject. How do you justify central regulation?
Games involving trade and commerce across states, or internationally, fall under the Union List. The Constitution allows the government to impose reasonable restrictions in public interest under Article 19. Courts have upheld such interventions in the past, especially when activities are harmful.
—With contributions from Suraksha P in Bengaluru
What is the main issue the government is trying to address with the Gaming Bill?
The government is of the view that India has the potential to be the gaming hub of the world with many game developers and creators thriving. For this, the legitimate areas within online gaming need to be delineated, recognised and promoted; that is esports and online social games — both educational and recreational. The other real concern is online money gaming. These games involve staking money with uncertain outcomes, often blurring the line between skill and chance. They carry risks of addiction, money laundering and misuse through cryptocurrency. Regular online gaming, esports and creative gaming are not the problem; we want to encourage those.
The gaming industry will be badly hit…
Our position is clear: we are drawing a line between promoting innovation and esports on one side and regulating exploitative money gaming on the other. The aim is to safeguard people while also strengthening India’s gaming ecosystem.
Will esports and other skill-based formats be affected?
No. Esports, like chess and other globally recognised games, fall under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The government has also been actively promoting the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector through initiatives like the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies in Mumbai and the Centres of Excellence under Software Technology Parks of India. These will continue. Our restrictions are aimed only at harmful money games.
Industry representatives say this bill was a ‘shocker’ with no consultation. What’s your response?
Both sides of the industry have been making representations to us. Many legitimate players even requested an authority for regulation. The bill includes enabling provisions to support genuine businesses, and after it is tabled, consultations will happen while drafting the rules.
Critics argue that this is a state subject. How do you justify central regulation?
Games involving trade and commerce across states, or internationally, fall under the Union List. The Constitution allows the government to impose reasonable restrictions in public interest under Article 19. Courts have upheld such interventions in the past, especially when activities are harmful.
—With contributions from Suraksha P in Bengaluru
