India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified new online gaming rules to tighten oversight of online money games and strengthen consumer protection. The framework will take effect on May 1.
MeitY announced the rules in a government press release on Wednesday and introduced a new regulatory structure under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025.
The framework follows legislation Parliament passed in August 2025 and targets growing risks linked to real-money online gaming, while also supporting the development of e-sports and online social gaming.
Online Gaming Authority of India to Act as Central Regulator
A key feature of the new rules is the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India. This authority will function as a central regulator for the sector.
The authority will be responsible for maintaining an official list of online money games, handling complaints, issuing compliance directions, and coordinating with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. Moreover, it will oversee grievance appeals and enforce regulatory standards across online gaming service providers.
Structured System to Define and Monitor Online Money Games
The rules establish a formal process for determining whether a game qualifies as an online money game. This assessment will consider factors including:
- Whether the game involves player stakes
- Whether it offers expected monetary rewards
- The game’s revenue and monetisation model
This framework is intended to bring consistency and legal clarity to the classification of money gaming platforms.
Non-Real Money Games Largely Exempt, Unless Notified
Most non-real money games, including many online social gaming products, will not fall under mandatory registration requirements unless specifically notified by the government.
However, the rules introduce a statutory registration regime for e-sports and certain categories of social games. This signals increased monitoring even outside the real-money segment.
New Consumer Protection Measures and Grievance Mechanisms
The framework also includes user safety and consumer protection requirements, including:
- Age verification protocols
- Parental control tools
- Reporting and user protection mechanisms
The rules will introduce a two-tier grievance redressal system, supported by an appellate mechanism to strengthen accountability and improve dispute resolution.
Government Targets Harm Prevention While Supporting Sector Growth
According to the government, the rules are intended to protect users from financial and social harm linked to online money gaming platforms. Furthermore, they aim to create a clearer and more structured regulatory environment to support the long-term growth of India’s online gaming ecosystem.
With the new rules taking effect on May 1, India’s online gaming sector is now entering a more formal regulatory phase. The newly established authority is expected to play a central role in enforcement and industry oversight.
