New Delhi: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which sailed through Lok Sabha a day earlier, cleared Rajya Sabha on Thursday amid huge protests by the Opposition.
The bill, which seeks to ban operation, facilitation and advertising of online games played with money, was passed after a voice vote in the Upper House of Parliament as Opposition members alleged that the legislation was pushed through without a discussion.
Once it becomes law, online money gaming will be punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.
Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, who tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha, said money-gaming addiction is like ‘drug addiction’.
“The powerful people behind online money games will challenge the decision in courts. They will run social media campaigns against this ban. We have seen the impact of games and how the money is used to support terror,” said Vaishnaw.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a discussion on the bill, and also a debate on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar carried out recently by the Election Commission of India.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju questioned the possibility of holding a debate amid the Opposition’s continuous protests. The Online bill was ultimately cleared through a voice vote.
What is online gaming?
In an online money game, a user deposits money lured by expectation of winning monetary and other enrichment.
All online betting and gambling (satta and jua) activities — online fantasy sports, Poker, Rummy, other Card games and online lotteries – will come under the ambit of the bill and totally outlawed.
The legislation seeks to prohibit advertisement related to online money games and also bars banks and financial institutions from transferring funds for such games.
Advertising money games will attract imprisonment of up to two years and/or fine up to Rs 50 lakh, while facilitating financial transactions related to money games can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and/or fine up to Rs 1 crore.
A repeat offence will attract enhanced penalties, including three to five years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs 2 crore.
The bill also proposes that offences under key sections be made cognizable and non-bailable.