India Publishes Framework For Online Game Classification And Regulation

India has put its new online gaming framework into force, giving regulators a clearer system for separating banned money games from permitted esports and social games.

Good to Know

• The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026 took effect on May 1.
• The Online Gaming Authority of India will classify games within 90 days.
• Online money games remain prohibited, while eligible esports and social games can operate with safeguards.

New Rules Separate Money Games From Esports

India has moved from a broad real-money gaming ban to a more detailed regulatory model. The PROG Act 2025 and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026 came into force on May 1, after publication on April 22.

The new framework creates the Online Gaming Authority of India, or OGAI, as an attached office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Based in Delhi, OGAI will include MeitY leadership and Joint Secretary-level representatives from other ministries.

OGAI will decide whether games fall into prohibited online money games or permitted social games and esports. The test covers fees, stakes, expected winnings, revenue models, rewards, in-game assets and whether items can be monetised outside the game. Each decision should come within 90 days after a complete application or notice.

Online money games remain banned when users pay a fee or stake with a reasonable expectation of monetary gain. OGAI will also maintain an official list of games considered harmful because of financial and social risks.

The framework follows the August 2025 ban on real-money iGaming, which came after estimates said around one-third of the population had lost $2.3 billion a year on wagers. India Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the law “avoids a big evil that is creeping into society,” while critics warned that players could end up on offshore platforms. Within 90 days, RMG platforms had reportedly recorded more than $840 million in asset write-downs.

Registration now becomes central for recognised esports and some notified game categories. Providers can receive a digital Certificate of Registration valid for up to 10 years. However, any game identified as an online money game cannot gain esports recognition under the National Sports Governance Act 2025.

Operators must also build in user protections. The rules cover age checks, access limits, usage time limits, parental controls, in-app reporting, counselling support, fair play systems and integrity controls. Platforms must explain those safeguards and grievance systems when applying.

User complaints will follow a staged process. Users can first appeal to a platform within 30 days of a grievance decision. If still unresolved, they can go to OGAI, which will target another 30 day resolution window. A final appeal can go to the Secretary of MeitY, also with a 30 day target.

Enforcement will mostly run online, with investigations targeted for completion within 90 days of a complaint. Penalties will depend on gains from violations, user harm, repeat conduct, severity and correction efforts.

The rules also bring payment and financial systems into the frame. Regulated financial institutions and payment systems must avoid transactions linked to prohibited online money games, which could affect in-app purchases, token models and cash-out systems across the market.

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