Centre Notifies New Online Gaming Rules Under PROG Act, 2025 To Boost Safety And Industry Growth

 

New Delhi : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Wednesday notified fresh rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, paving the way for formal registration of e-sports games and companies, while reinforcing the ban on real-money gaming in India.

 

A central authority called the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) operates as a fully digital regulator working under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Its governing body will have representatives from relevant ministries like Home Affairs and Law as part of an overall unified multi-agency approach to oversight.

Under the framework, registration for e-sports platforms has been made mandatory, while "online social games" will only need to register if the government specifically notifies certain categories. Officials clarified that most non-money games can continue operating without compulsory registration unless flagged.

 

IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the rules also include enabling provisions for future age classification of video games, allowing the government to step in if concerns such as addiction escalate. The existing code of conduct is likely to be further expanded in the future with an additional set of regulations around new features of online gaming (e.g., micro-transactions).

 

When addressing issues surrounding enforcement against illegal betting sites located offshore (e.g., Polymarket, Kalshi), the government indicated that there are continuing challenges experienced when individuals legally wager on their own country's cricket match or previous national election using these types of websites. The government has indicated that they have a practice of blocking access to these types of websites when they become aware of them, though there is also concern regarding those utilizing VPNs due to their uncertainty as a regulatory issue.

Based on over 2500 stakeholder comments received since the original draft was made available on October 7, 2023, the new regulations reflect a significant evolution in how eSports will be recognized within India, establishing closer regulation of online gaming and allowing for future regulations relative to the potential pace of development of this highly dynamic area of digital gaming in India.