MC EXCLUSIVE Celebrity endorsements fuel online money gaming addiction, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw

Celebrity and influencer endorsements are among the biggest triggers for children and youngsters falling into online money gaming addiction, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said while explaining the rationale behind the prohibition on advertising and financial transactions in the online gaming bill.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which proposes to ban all sorts of online money games, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 21.

“Doctors and mental health have said that the fundamental way in which youngsters get addicted to such games is through endorsement of celebrities and influencers,” Vaishnaw said in an exclusive interview to Moneycontrol on August 21.

"This is the way they get addicted to this, and it keeps on getting reinforced," he added.

The bill, apart from proposing ban on offering of such games, also prohibits its advertisement by celebrities, and has a put a bar on banks and/or any financial institution from transacting with such platforms.

The bill has also proposed imprisonment of upto 2 years or fine extending to Rs 50 lakh for those who advertise, promote or sponsor online money game or online money gaming services.

For financial intermediaries or others who facilitate payments, the legislation levies imprisonment of upto 3 years and fine that can extend Rs 1 crore.

Vaishnaw added that financial restrictions are another crucial way of addressing the problem at the root. “The most effective way of controlling this menace is at the source,” the minister said.

The minister underlined that combating online money gaming could not be left to the government alone.

“Such complex problems have to be dealt with by the entire society — parents, teachers, friends, everyone has to play a role. Awareness is key. If a child is already caught in it and parents find out too late, the damage may already be done," he warned.