New Online Gaming Bill lifts Esports to mainstream sporting status

By Aaryanshi Mohan: The Online Gaming Bill 2025, which was cleared in Parliament, is being hailed as a major milestone for India's growing esports industry. The bill addresses one of the long-standing demands of gamers and esports athletes: the separation of skill-based games such as esports from real-money gaming.

Until now, the industry was too often grouped under the broader umbrella of gambling. This distinction is critical, as it gives esports its own identity-one rooted in competition and talent rather than chance or betting. By drawing this line, the bill opens doors to greater structure, investment, and legitimacy for the sector.

Esports in India has grown rapidly, with titles like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), Valorant, FIFA, DOTA 2, and Counter-Strike dominating the competitive scene. At the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, esports made its official debut as a medal event, featuring games such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, FIFA, Arena of Valor, Street Fighter V, and PUBG Mobile, where India also participated.

WHAT DOES THE BILL SAY?

One of the most significant aspects of the Online Gaming Bill is the official recognition of esports as a sport under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. This recognition means esports will no longer have to fight for legitimacy and will be afforded the same level of exposure as traditional sports such as cricket and football.

The move allows the government to provide players and stakeholders across the ecosystem with clear guidelines, rules, and quality standards for tournaments. Importantly, it will also establish uniform regulations across states, which have so far operated on their own rules.

"The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 is a welcome step toward resolving years of uncertainty in the sector. At present, a patchwork of state-level restrictions creates inconsistency. This bill helps bring balance. With a central framework in place, we can unlock investment, foster innovation, and drive global competitiveness," said Rohit N. Jagasia, Co-founder & CEO, Revenant Esports.

"The bill also recognises the crucial difference between esports, social gaming, and chance-driven money games. For esports in particular, that clarity is essential for growth and credibility. Once the detailed provisions are made public, we will have a clearer sense of their implications for esports. But it could well mark the start of India's rise as an international esports leader," he said.

GROWTH AND STRUCTURE

The bill also outlines ambitious plans to promote and expand esports nationwide. The Union Ministry of Sports will establish training academies, research centres, and technology platforms to nurture talent and strengthen infrastructure. These initiatives aim to make esports more accessible and respected-not just for players, but also for content creators, developers, and event organisers.

"Esports is a sport-built on skill, discipline, and years of grind. With government recognition and the right infrastructure, India is now poised to become a global powerhouse in esports and gaming culture. The focus must now be on developing arenas, bootcamps, education programmes, and scholarships to nurture the next generation of talent, whether competing on the world stage or shaping culture as gaming creators," said Animesh Agarwal, Co-owner, S8UL Esports.

Industry experts are calling the bill a fresh start for the esports sector. By drawing a clear line between gambling and skill-based gaming, it is expected to dispel long-held misconceptions about esports. The move is also anticipated to attract new investors and sponsors, while creating career opportunities for young talent. Additionally, the recognition could encourage schools, colleges, and local bodies to support competitive gaming as part of co-curricular activities.

"Clear and consistent definitions will create a strong regulatory foundation that ensures investor confidence, long-term stability, and sustainable growth. It will allow every stakeholder, from athletes and teams to platforms and video game publishers, to operate with clarity and confidence, knowing the industry's guardrails are well established," said Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming.

A CULTURAL SHIFT

In the bigger picture, the Online Gaming Bill 2025 is more than just a piece of legislation for e-sports in the country; it represents a cultural shift. It sends a clear message that esports is here to stay and deserves its place in India's sporting future. With the right support and implementation, this could well mark the beginning of India's rise as a global esports powerhouse.