On 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 (Rules), pursuant to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (Act), which was notified on 2 October 2025. Both the Rules and the Act come into effect from 1 May 2026.

Categorization of Games 
  • Online Social Games: Non-wager online game, playable via one-time access or a subscription fee for entertainment. 
  • E-Sport: Skill-based online multi-player game which does not involve betting or wagers, played as a part of multi-sport events. Participation fees may be charged and prizes may be awarded. Recognized under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
  • Online Money Games: An online game played for fees, money, or stakes with the prospect of monetary or other rewards, whether based on skill and, or, chance. Absolutely prohibited. 
Online Gaming Authority of India 
  • Chairperson is the Additional Secretary, MeitY, or another officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary nominated by the Secretary, MeitY. Ex officio members at the Joint Secretary level represent the Ministries of Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Departments of Financial Services and Legal Affairs. 
  •  Functions as an attached office of the MeitY and operates as a digital office. 
  •  Identifies online money games, publishes an official list, and maintains records of online games that are determined or registered.
  • Registers eligible online games, and regulates its financial aspects, including deposits, financial transactions, fund authorization, payment routing, settlement, and verification of determination orders and registration certificates.
  • Imposes data‑related obligations, including retention of traffic data, metadata, and other operational information.
  • ssues binding directions on online gaming, advertising, and related financial transactions, including framing guidelines and issuing fair-play, cybersecurity, and safety standards. 
  • Coordinates with regulators, law‑enforcement, and financial institutions, while assisting the Central Government through advisories. 
Determination and, or, Registration 
  •  The Authority may suo moto or on application determine whether a game is an online social game, e-sport, or online money game. Such determination is not mandatory and is triggered only where the Authority acts suo motu, where a provider intends to offer a game as an esport, or where the Central Government notifies a specific category of online social games for determination.
  • For online social games, registration is not mandatory unless the Central Government issues a notification to that effect, having regard to risk to users (including children), scale of participation, financial transactions, and country of origin. 
  • For e-sport, registration is mandatory, and the Authority must register the game within 90 days of a complete application, upon being satisfied that the game is recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
  • Applications for determination or registration must disclose details relating to the applicant and the game, including identity and contact information, existing licenses or authorizations, game description and category, intended user age group, revenue model, user safety features, and the internal grievance redressal framework. 
  • Applicants to provide an undertaking as to the accuracy of information furnished and submit any additional details that may be sought by the Authority for the purposes of determination or registration.
Registration & Compliance Framework 
  • A registration certificate once granted shall be valid for 10 years, unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled earlier.
  • Online game service providers are required to prominently display determination and registration status on their platforms and are prohibited from misrepresenting any game as determined or registered without approval.
  • Operational obligations include designation and publication of a point of contact, compliance with India‑based data retention requirements, and establishment of a grievance redressal mechanism. 
  • Banks, payment gateways, and other financial intermediaries facilitating transactions must verify determination orders or registration certificates before enabling payments and must comply with directions to suspend or restrict transactions in respect of games determined to be online money games. 
Grievance Redressal 
  • Online game service providers must set up an internal grievance redressal mechanism and resolve user grievances within 30 days through written or digital means. 
  • If the grievance is not resolved within 30 days or the user is dissatisfied, it may be escalated to the Online Gaming Authority within 30 days through the prescribed digital process. 
  • The Online Gaming Authority must give an opportunity of hearing and dispose of the grievance within 30 days, with power to issue corrective or remedial directions.
  • An appeal against the Authority’s decision may be filed before the Appellate Authority (Secretary, MeitY) within 30 days, and failure to comply with grievance obligations can invite regulatory action. 
Penalties 
  • Offering online money gaming illegally: up to 3 years imprisonment, fine up to INR 1 crore, or both. 
  • Making prohibited advertisements for online gaming: up to 2 years imprisonment, fine up to INR 50 lakh, or both. 
  • Engaging in prohibited transactions or authorizing funds: up to 3 years imprisonment, fine up to INR 1 crore, or both. 
  • Repeat illegal online gaming or fund transactions: imprisonment 3-5 years, fine of INR 1-2 crore. 
  • Repeat prohibited advertisements: imprisonment 2-3 years, fine of INR 50 lakh -1 crore.
  • Proceedings may be initiated either on receipt of a complaint or on a suo motu basis by the Authority. 
  •  In determining the appropriate action, due regard is given to factors such as user harm, unfair gain, recurrence, gravity and duration of the violation, and mitigating steps taken.
Relevant Timelines 
  • 1 May 2026: The Act and Rules come into force. Operators must immediately cease offering online money games.
  • Within 90 days of direction/application: Within 90 days of the date of application by an operator or the date of notice issued by the Authority in suo motu proceedings, the Authority determines whether a game qualifies as an online money game, online social game, or e-sport. This determination is triggered only in three situations: (i) suo motu action by the Authority; (ii) an application by a provider seeking classification of a game as an e-sport; or (iii) where the Central Government notifies specific categories of online social games for such determination.