Citing the harm and addiction of young people, Maharashtra is pushing for a ban on online gaming.

With worries about addiction, financial exploitation, and the welfare of young people, the Maharashtra government is working toward a statewide ban on online gaming. The decision, according to officials, is intended to stop what they describe as an expanding digital threat that has caused young users to experience psychological distress, academic decline, and mounting debt. Apps that offer real-money games, online betting, and even casual games that are considered “habit-forming” would be prohibited by the proposal, which is presently undergoing legal review. Like alcohol and tobacco products, the state wants to categorize these platforms under a regulatory framework that views them as possible risks to public health and safety. To gain agreement on the action, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened high-level meetings with representatives from the Home Department, cybercrime authorities, and child psychologists. In the next session, a draft bill is anticipated to be presented to the state assembly, which might impose severe sanctions on businesses that break the rules. Stakeholders in the industry are worried about what a broad ban would mean. Online gaming companies contend that the solution lies in regulation rather than outright bans. They point out that in order to prevent abuse, trustworthy platforms already adhere to self-regulatory codes and make significant investments in user safety, age gating, and financial risk management. Additionally, digital rights organizations have voiced concerns, stating that a complete prohibition could create a risky precedent for internet censorship. Instead of imposing strict regulations on new tech-based industries, they support educational campaigns and a more balanced strategy that makes a distinction between gambling and skill-based games. Maharashtra is the latest Indian state which is taking legal action against online gaming. Lawmakers are undue pressure to maintain a balance between innovation and citizen protection as the public and legal debate heats up. The outcome could set the regulatory tone for India and influence national policy on digital gaming for years to come.