<h1>Bill bans online real-money gaming and advertising, penalises operators, payment processors; players exempt, regulator to classify games</h1> A recently cleared bill seeks to prohibit online money gaming and related advertising, prescribing penalties for operators, advertisers and payment processors including imprisonment up to three years and fines up to Rs 1 crore (higher for repeat offences), while exempting players from criminal liability. The measure distinguishes prohibited real-money games from promoted eSports and online social games, proposes a statutory regulator with registration and compliance powers, and authorises the regulator to classify games as money-based after inquiry. The bill also bars banks and financial institutions from processing funds for such games and aims to address addiction, financial harm and illicit uses.