Online Gaming Under Fire: Nationwide Ban Campaign Launched

Senior BJP leader Vijay Goel has launched a campaign advocating for a nationwide ban on online gaming. Highlighting issues of addiction and financial distress, Goel, alongside notable supporters, criticized the industry's impact on society. The campaign will include a protest at Jantar Mantar on November 16.

Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Vijay Goel has announced a campaign urging a nationwide ban on online gaming, emphasizing its growing threat of addiction and financial turmoil. Joined by prominent figures like former Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Goel stressed the societal damage caused by the burgeoning online gaming industry, estimated to be worth Rs 12 lakh crore and expanding at a rate of 30% annually.

Reports indicating an alarming rise in incidents, including suicides linked to gaming addiction, underscore the urgency of the issue. Goel pointed out the exponential growth in fantasy sports users, from 20 lakh in 2016 to a projected 24 crore by 2024. Criticism was also directed at celebrities promoting gaming apps, accused of exploiting young users for monetary gain.

The campaign, aiming for substantial political backing, will kick off with a significant protest at Jantar Mantar on November 16, where affected parents are expected to demand stringent measures. This aligns with calls for regulatory actions similar to those imposed on lotteries, arguing that gaming companies retain 82% of profits while users face significant financial losses.

(With inputs from agencies.)