Monsoon Session: Lok Sabha Adjourned Over Gaming Bill, Bihar Rolls

A contentious bill aimed at regulating and prohibiting online gaming was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, triggering a storm of protests from opposition members over a separate issue involving electoral roll revisions in Bihar. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tabled the Online Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025, in a chaotic session marked by opposition slogans, placards, and relentless disruptions, highlighting the deep political divides within the House.

The bill, which seeks to clamp down on online money gaming and its advertisements, proposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment, fines, or both, for those involved in offering or promoting such platforms. It draws a clear distinction between online money gaming and eSports or online social games, with provisions to encourage the growth of the latter. The legislation aims to curb the proliferation of unregulated gaming platforms while fostering a safe and structured environment for eSports and social gaming, which are seen as burgeoning industries with significant economic potential.

Amid the introduction, opposition leaders Manish Tewari of Congress and N K Premchandran of RSP refused to engage in discussions on the bill, demanding that the House prioritize a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, which they claimed raised concerns about electoral integrity. Tewari, when prompted by the chair to comment on the bill, insisted that the Bihar issue warranted immediate attention, reflecting the opposition’s broader frustration with the government’s agenda.

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back, accusing the opposition of undermining the dignity of the Lok Sabha with their disruptive tactics. “Even school students are mocking parliamentarians for such conduct,” Rijiju remarked, urging members to maintain decorum and allow the House to function. The unrelenting protests led P C Mohan, who was presiding over the session, to adjourn the Lok Sabha until 2 pm, as the uproar showed no signs of subsiding.

The introduction of the bill comes at a time when online gaming has surged in popularity across India, raising concerns about addiction, financial fraud, and unregulated platforms. Supporters of the bill argue that it will protect consumers and promote responsible gaming, while critics warn that its stringent measures could stifle innovation and infringe on personal freedoms. As the Lok Sabha navigates this polarizing legislation, the clash over procedural priorities and electoral controversies continues to overshadow critical policy discussions, leaving the fate of the bill uncertain.

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