Odisha Replaces Jail Terms With Monetary Penalties For Gambling Offences

Odisha has formally amended its gambling statute in a major shift from custodial punishment to a penalty based enforcement model. The new framework replaces all jail terms with monetary fines under the Odisha Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill 2025, reflecting a broader Indian trend toward modernising criminal procedures and reducing reliance on short-term imprisonment for minor violations.

Good to Know

• All gambling offences in Odisha now carry fines instead of jail terms.
• Penalties range from ₹5,000 to ₹75,000 depending on severity.
• The reform follows national changes that promote e-sports while banning money-based online games.

State lawmakers approved the Amendment Bill on Tuesday, triggering a complete overhaul of the previous system, which included a mandatory one-month jail term and a ₹100 fine for basic offences. More serious cases previously carried up to six months behind bars. Under the new graded structure, fines start at ₹5,000 and rise to ₹75,000 for higher tier violations.

The change arrives shortly after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 received presidential assent in August. That national law supports e-sports and social gaming while prohibiting money-based games and related transactions. Odisha legislators framed their update as part of this broader transition toward clearer definitions, simpler procedures and an enforcement model that reduces the burden on courts, police and jails.

State officials argued that monetary penalties curb unlawful activity more effectively than brief imprisonment. They also said that outdated provisions added unnecessary pressure on the criminal justice system and often resulted in jail time for low-level infractions that did not require custodial action. By shifting to fines, they expect law enforcement to devote more attention to major offences rather than administrative detentions.

Not everyone supported the decision. Opposition legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain raised concerns that the revised structure could weaken past attempts to restrict gambling. He warned that offenders might “pay a fine and walk away,” which he believes could fuel additional activity at a time when central authorities are enhancing rules for online gaming.

The ruling party dismissed those claims. Party leader Irasis Acharya said the criticism was “politically motivated” and argued that the updated approach strengthens transparency and enforcement. He said the state aimed to align its laws with modern social and economic patterns while reducing unnecessary incarceration and improving clarity for citizens and regulators.

Odisha joins several Indian states reassessing legacy gambling legislation as digital gaming grows and governments attempt to draw clearer lines between games of skill and games of chance. The updated law places Odisha among jurisdictions opting for financial deterrence rather than custodial punishment to address minor gambling behaviour.

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