India, Aug. 21 -- The Rajya Sabha passed the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025' today, a day after the Lok Sabha. The Bill proposes a complete ban on real money games, and will deal a crushing blow to the startups in the segment once it comes into effect.

The government has cited risks of money laundering and terror funding, as well as annual losses of INR 20,000 Cr, due to real money games as the reason behind introducing the Bill.

Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while presenting the Bill, said that close to 45 Cr Indians lose money on online gaming platforms each year. "Online games are also used for money laundering and supporting terror activities against India," he added.

The government has claime...