The framework mandates mandatory user safety features and a two-tier grievance redressal system, while removing certain provisions to give ministries more flexibility in promotion and “material change” rules.

India is rolling out a light-touch regulatory framework for online gaming, effective soon under a new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, with the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) empowered to enforce it.

The regulator’s leadership will include an Additional Secretary as chair and joint secretaries from several ministries, signaling a broad, cross-government approach.

A new Online Gaming Authority will operate as a digital office under MeitY, with representation from multiple ministries including finance, information and broadcasting, health, sports, power, justice, and external affairs.

Rules clarify how entry fees, prizes, and wagers are treated, and set standards for data storage, cybersecurity, fair play, and clearly stated grounds for suspending or cancelling registrations.

User protection features include age verification, time limits, parental controls, user reporting, and accessible grievance redressal to promote informed, safe participation.

Registration pathways will be tiered depending on game and provider risk, with certificates valid up to ten years; online real-money games cannot be recognized as esports.

Key objective criteria for determining money games focus on stakes, potential winnings, revenue models, and monetisation of in-game rewards outside the platform.

Previously hosted real-money gaming tools remain under strict monitoring, with due diligence, user safety, robust grievance mechanisms, and transparent transactions required.

A dual approach supports non-monetary creative gaming while prohibiting predatory monetisation, aiming to foster the non-monetary gaming economy and curb real-money gambling.

The regime bans online money games, classifies offerings into money games, social games, and e-sports, and requires banks to ensure funds flow only to legally permitted categories.

Registration, cancellation, and suspension processes have been streamlined to ensure the Act becomes fully operational without overlaps.