Online Gaming Act: Government's New Rules for Online Gaming to Come into Effect from This Date..

The IT Ministry has notified the long-awaited online gaming rules. These rules provide a procedural framework for regulating and promoting online gaming; furthermore, they pave the way for the establishment of an Online Gaming Authority.

S. Krishnan (IT Secretary) stated that most online games—specifically those that are not "real money games" (i.e., those not involving monetary transactions)—will not require mandatory registration. Regulatory oversight will be initiated only under specific circumstances. However, mandatory registration will be required for 'esports'. He remarked, "We wanted to ensure that, as far as possible, this entire process involves minimal regulatory intervention. Most games that do not involve money can operate without any mandatory registration; therefore, the entire process is essentially voluntary."

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S. Krishnan added, "We are not compelling anyone to apply for a determination regarding whether their offering constitutes an online real money game, an online social game, or an esports title." However, such a determination process will be triggered in three specific scenarios. The first scenario is where the Authority takes *suo motu* (on its own initiative) cognizance of the matter. The second scenario involves games classified as esports. S. Krishnan noted that, under the third scenario, the Central Government may notify any specific category of social games—a category which, for the time being, we have not yet specifically notified.

He further explained that user safety features have also been clearly defined within these rules. While promoting esports and online social gaming in India, this regulatory framework imposes restrictions on online real money gaming. The Ministry had invited suggestions regarding these rules in October 2025.

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