Under the new framework, online gaming activities will be broadly grouped into three categories.
India Moves to Regulate Online Gaming With New Rules Covering Real Money Games and Esports
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Wednesday issued the long-awaited regulatory framework under the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Act, marking a key step towards formal governance of India’s fast-growing digital gaming industry. The rules lay down operational procedures for setting up an online gaming authority and defining how different types of games will be treated under law.
IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the framework is designed to ensure minimal regulatory interference while still providing clarity on classification and user protection. He added that most non-monetary games will continue to operate without mandatory registration, unless specific conditions trigger regulatory review.
Under the new framework, online gaming activities will be broadly grouped into three categories:
- Social games: Games that do not involve real money transactions and can operate without compulsory registration under normal conditions.
- Real money games: Platforms involving financial stakes, which will be subject to prohibition under the Act.
- Esports: Competitive gaming formats that will require mandatory registration and formal recognition under the regulatory system.
Officials clarified that classification will not require voluntary applications from platforms. Instead, determination will occur in limited cases such as suo motu action by the authority or when esports-related recognition is involved. The government may also notify additional categories of social games in the future if needed.
The rules also introduce defined user safety safeguards and compliance standards. The framework follows stakeholder consultations held in October 2025 and aims to balance innovation with regulatory oversight while promoting esports and restricting real-money gaming activities.
