Hyderabad gamers hail Online Gaming Bill as boost for esports, curb on addiction

Gamers, creators and developers in Hyderabad on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, describing it as a long-awaited step to curb the menace of real-money gaming (RMG) while opening up space for esports and skill-based gaming to grow.

For Vinay Vangala, a Panjagutta resident who lodged a police complaint in March against online betting platforms, the development felt deeply personal. “It is a relief to see this addressed at a national level,” he said. “Both the State and Central governments have been clear about ending this menace. I am thankful to the Hyderabad and Cyberabad police for going after offenders, whether common people or celebrities.”

Vinay admitted that he too had once been tempted. “My friends in Ameerpet had told me about quick money through online games. I almost fell for it but after doing some research, I realised it was illegal. That was when I approached the Panjagutta police and filed a complaint.” His complaint encouraged others to share their struggles.

Hyderabad’s esports and gaming community have welcomed the Bill for shifting the conversation away from gambling-like activities. Dhanu Dino, a Malkajgiri resident and popular gaming influencer who runs Telugu Gaming FF with over 2.45 million YouTube subscribers, called it a chance to redirect energy toward esports. “This move will push focus back to esports. The Telugu influencer community had already distanced itself from RMG two years ago. The future is esports, not betting apps.”

Dhanu explained that a successful, thriving career can be built sans the RMG method. “If you just create good content on YouTube, Instagram or streaming apps, you can be assured of a career. I am buying a house this year with the money I earned through esports, YouTube revenue and streaming; never RMG or ads,” he added. He hoped the new law would mean “the next generation won’t even know what RMG is”.

Meanwhile, developers say that the Bill is an overdue chance to separate video gaming from the taint of betting platforms. Sameer Chengappa, a game designer at Funfinity Interactive currently working on AS:RA Ashen Skies: Radiant Arena, emphasised that esports and traditional gaming should never be confused with gambling. “The problem is that video games are being lumped together with RMG in the digital space. RMG is not gaming, it is closer to gambling which has its own regulations. Esports, video games and online gambling are all very different,” he said.

He added, “If the same rules applying to RMG are imposed on us, the industry simply cannot grow. This initiative was about drawing that line clearly.”

“Though this move cannot undo the loss we suffered, maybe others can be spared from such a fate,” said Sai Prasad, a private company employee from Musheerabad, adding that he lost his friend to online gambling addiction last year.