‘Ban online gaming like dance bars’: Maharashtra sounds alarm over youth suicides, urges centre to act

With multiple states now raising red flags, and tragic personal stories surfacing regularly, the online gaming sector in India is facing intense public, political, and regulatory pressure.

Amid rising cases of financial ruin, family tragedies, and addiction linked to online gaming, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged the Centre to step in and regulate the rapidly expanding sector. During a stormy session in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, the CM admitted that the state government lacks the legal authority to frame laws on online gaming, but vowed to work closely with the Union government to 'curb this menace.'

The gravity of the situation was pointed out by a ground reports shared by MLAs across party lines. Shiv Sena legislator Kailash Patil recounted a devastating case from his constituency where a man, deeply addicted to online gaming, sold his land and home, racked up debt, and ultimately killed his pregnant wife, toddler son, and himself.

“Just like the state banned dance bars to protect the youth, it must now act against online gaming,” Patil said.

‘Only the centre can act’  

Addressing the Assembly, Fadnavis said that while the state explored options to act on its own, jurisdictional constraints remain.
“These websites are hosted internationally and only the Centre has the power to take effective legal action,” the CM explained.

He added that he has already spoken with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and written to the Centre, which he claimed is now “seriously looking into the issue.”

Celebrity endorsements under fire: 'Stop promoting harmful platforms'

Apart from legal interventions, lawmakers called for immediate steps to curb the glamorization of online gaming. NCP (SP) MLA Abhijeet Patil, as per media reports, slammed Bollywood and sports celebrities for promoting such apps.

“Their endorsements are worsening the problem by encouraging impressionable youth to try these platforms,” he said.
Fadnavis also issued an appeal to celebrities to stop associating with such platforms and hinted that the state may explore legal options to ban related advertisements.

Gaming stocks may feel the heat

The developments come at a time when several states, including Karnataka, are tightening scrutiny over real-money gaming (RMG) platforms. Maharashtra was reportedly preparing its own regulatory framework earlier this year, with plans for licensing fees and stricter compliance norms.

Companies like Delta Corp (casino and online gaming), Nazara Technologies (eSports and skill-based gaming), and OnMobile Global (mobile gaming services) may face increased investor scrutiny in the wake of these policy shifts.

State aims to tackle cybercrime and financial fraud

Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam earlier informed the Legislative Council that the state is drafting robust legal provisions to curb cybercrime and financial fraud stemming from online gaming.

“We are working on a framework that ensures accountability and curbs the misuse of these platforms,” Kadam had said.