‘Game On’: India Notifies Online Gaming Rules Under PROG Act
New framework bans real-money games, sets up regulator, boosts e-sports ecosystem
- Online gaming rules to take effect from May 1, 2026
- Based on Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025
- Real-money gaming banned; e-sports, social gaming framework defined
- New regulator to oversee compliance, safety and classification
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th April: India’s new regulatory framework for online gaming has officially been notified, marking a major shift in the country’s digital gaming landscape. The rules, set to come into force on May 1, 2026, operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 enacted by Parliament last year.
The framework bans real-money gaming while establishing a structured ecosystem for e-sports and online social gaming, with a focus on user safety, transparency and industry growth.
At the centre of the framework is the proposed Online Gaming Authority of India, a digital-first regulator under the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The authority will classify games, maintain a list of prohibited money games, and coordinate with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies.
The rules introduce an objective “determination test” to classify games based on factors such as financial transactions, revenue models and the possibility of monetary gains. The classification process must be completed within 90 days.
Registration will be mandatory for e-sports platforms and certain notified categories of social games. Approved entities will receive a digital certificate valid for up to 10 years. Online money games will not be eligible for registration.
To address concerns around addiction and misuse, the rules mandate “user safety features” such as age verification, time limits, parental controls, grievance redressal systems and fair-play monitoring tools.
A two-tier appeal mechanism has also been introduced, allowing users to escalate unresolved complaints to the regulator and subsequently to an appellate authority.
Banks and financial institutions will play a key role in enforcement by ensuring that transactions are limited to registered entities. The regulator can direct suspension of financial flows to platforms identified as illegal.
The gaming industry has largely welcomed the move, saying it provides clarity and recognises e-sports as a legitimate sector. However, some stakeholders have raised concerns over financial frameworks and operational clarity for players and teams.
The new rules are expected to reshape India’s online gaming ecosystem by balancing regulation with innovation.
