The government has notified rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, with implementation set to begin on May 1.
This marks the rollout of a formal regulatory framework for the sector.
A key provision makes registration for online social games voluntary, allowing them to operate without prior approval from the proposed regulator, the Online Gaming Authority of India. However, the authority will retain the power to review any game independently.
OGAI, which will become operational from May 1, will have six members and be chaired by an additional secretary from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Members will include joint secretaries from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Department of Legal Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs will serve as a full-time member.
The validity of registration certificates for games has been extended from five to ten years, reducing compliance requirements for operators.
The rules also allow the government to mandate registration for certain categories of social games based on factors such as addiction risk, scale of participation, financial implications, and country of origin. Criteria, including the distinction between fees, prizes, and wagers, will help determine the classification of games.
The framework, refined after more than 2,500 stakeholder submissions, sets out norms on data retention, fair play, cybersecurity, and conditions for suspension or cancellation of registrations.
Officials said the rules aim to balance ease of doing business with user protection, while maintaining oversight of high-risk segments. Separate policy decisions on e-sports will be handled by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Sports Ministry.