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4h ago

Draft Online Gaming Rules Out for Consultation, New National Regulator Proposed

Public consultation now precedes the notification that will start enforcement under the money‑gaming ban.

If a game is declared an online money game, the Authority can order it to stop immediately, ban its advertising and promotion, and add it to a public list of prohibited titles.
The proposed rules say individuals could be penalised for playing online money games.
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Overview

  • MeitY published draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 on Oct. 2 and invited comments through Oct. 31, without specifying an enforcement date.
  • The draft proposes the Online Gaming Authority of India, chaired by a senior MeitY official, with civil court–like powers to determine money games, register permissible titles, maintain a national registry and direct financial institutions.
  • Violations tied to offering or facilitating online money games would be cognizable and non-bailable, with search, seizure and arrest powers for authorised officers, and penalties up to three years’ jail/₹1 crore for operators and two years/₹50 lakh for advertisers.
  • A registration framework is outlined for e-sports and online social games, though coverage differs on whether social game registration is mandatory or voluntary; the Youth Affairs & Sports ministry would oversee e-sports and the I&B ministry social-game categorisation.
  • User protections include a three-tier grievance redressal path and a 180-day window, starting from enforcement, for banks and intermediaries to refund pre-Act player funds without liability.