The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote amid din from the Opposition on Wednesday. The bill prohibits all forms of online money gaming—whether based on skill, chance or a mix of both.

The Bill was approved through a voice vote following brief comments from Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, whilst the opposition MPs staged demonstrations. The proceedings of the lower house of Parliament were adjourned for the day after the passage of the Bill.

An online money game refers to digital activities where users stake money with the expectation of receiving monetary rewards or other benefits.

The proposed law prohibits all forms of internet-based wagering and gambling activities, encompassing online fantasy sports, digital gambling platforms (including poker, rummy and similar card games), and web-based lotteries.

After receiving approval from both Houses of Parliament, persons involved in online monetary gaming will face penalties of imprisonment for up to three years and/or monetary fines reaching Rs 1 crore.

Following the passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha, Ashwini Vaishnaw told media that the Bill aims to promote e-sports and educational & social games while regulating online money games.

“Online money games are causing addiction among people. Reports have surfaced that online gaming is wiping out family savings, and several cases of suicide have also been reported,” he said.

Citing media reports, he said that within just 31 days, 30 cases of suicide linked to online gaming have come to light.

Jaipur: A late-night bomb threat email sent to The Palace School in Jaipur’s Manak Chowk police station area triggered a major security operation on Wednesday morning. The school administration alerted the police early Wednesday after discovering the threatening message in their inbox.

Following the report, senior police officials, along with the Bomb Disposal Squad, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and dog squad, rushed to the school premises. A full-scale search operation has been underway since morning to ensure the safety of students and staff. The mail threatens explosion in classrooms and toilet, said police.

According to officials, the email claimed that two TNT IEDs had been planted in the classrooms and toilet area of classes 4 to 7, threatening that they would explode by 1.45 p.m. The message instructed the school to evacuate all children before that time.

Speaking on the matter, DCP North Karan Sharma confirmed that a thorough search is being conducted and all necessary protocols are being followed. “All agencies have been deployed, and we are checking every corner of the school,” he said. The Cyber Cell has started investigating the source of the email.

“The Jaipur Police cyber team has joined the investigation and is actively working to trace the origin of the threatening email. The team is examining the IP address from which the mail was sent. The threat is being taken very seriously,” DCP Sharma added.

This is not the first time The Palace School has received such a threat. A similar email had been sent earlier, which also led to a security sweep. However, nothing suspicious was found during that previous incident.

Despite the history of false threats, police say they are treating the current situation with utmost caution. Every possible angle is being investigated, and a security perimeter has been established around the school. Students were not present at the school at the time of the threat, as it was received during the night.

Jaipur: At least four people were killed in a road accident and four others were injured on the Kota-Udaipur highway in Rajasthan’s Bundi district early Wednesday morning, said officials

The collision occurred near the Baba Ramdev temple in the Dabi police station area of Bundi district at around 5 a.m. According to preliminary information, a dumper and a car collided head-on with significant impact.

The car, carrying eight people, was en route from Beawar to Rajsamand, reportedly arranged by contractor Hemraj.

The accident took place just 5 km before the Dhaneshwar toll plaza.

An ambulance was dispatched immediately after the highway control room alerted emergency services. Upon reaching the scene, rescue personnel found all eight car occupants injured. The victims were first rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dabi, according to the officials here.

Tragically, one person was declared dead on arrival. The remaining injured were referred to Kota’s Medical College Hospital for further treatment.

At the hospital in Kota, three more victims, including a woman, succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

The four surviving victims continue to receive medical care, with one of them being a one-and-a-half-year-old child.

Police officials confirmed the details, stating that the accident occurred in front of the Baba Ramdev temple, not far from the Dhaneshwar toll. The officials added that the deceased’s bodies were kept in the mortuary, and post-mortem procedures would be conducted once their families arrive.

The crash caused a stir in the area, briefly disrupting traffic on the highway.

Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the collision and whether negligence or overspeeding was involved.

The tragic accident again gives lessons that travellers should be extra careful during early morning hours when visibility is low and fatigue often plays a role, said the officials.