On May 1, 2026, India will implement the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026, as published by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on April 22 in the Gazette of India. This document is part of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act passed by Parliament in August 2025 and outlines six sections and 26 regulatory rules. Here are the key points highlighted by iGN:
Ban on Real Money Games:
Real money games are completely prohibited under the main law, and the new rules introduce enforcement mechanisms for this ban. Furthermore, real money games cannot be recognized as an esports discipline under the National Sports Governance Act 2025.
Criteria for Classifying Real Money Games:
The criteria include the involvement of fees or bets at any stage of participation, expected monetary winnings for players, monetization principles, and the ability to withdraw in-game assets and rewards for real money. The regulator will make decisions on these criteria within 90 days based on applications, its own initiative, or government notifications regarding game categories.
Bank Control:
Banks and financial organizations are prohibited from processing transactions related to real money games. If a game is categorized as a real money game, associated transactions may be suspended or restricted.
Fines and Dispute Procedures:
Disputes will be conducted in a digital format with physical presence if necessary, concluding within 90 days. Fines will be imposed proportionally, considering the benefits from the violation, harm to users, recurrence, severity, and efforts to mitigate consequences.
Permitted Categories:
Esports will require mandatory registration for each game offered as an esports discipline, while social games will have optional registration, except for categories specified by the Central Government.
Market Participant Registration:
Registration is mandatory only when specified by the Central Government based on user risk levels, participation scale, financial operations, and country of origin. The digital registration certificate with a unique number is valid for up to 10 years. Registered participants must display registration data in their interface, appoint a contact person, and comply with data storage and payment requirements.
Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI):
A new centralized regulator will operate as a structural unit of MeitY, headquartered in Delhi. OGAI will be led by the Additional Secretary of MeitY, with representatives from various ministries at the Joint Secretary level. The regulator will maintain a registry of real money games, handle complaints, issue guidelines and regulations, and coordinate with banks and law enforcement agencies. Users have 30 days to appeal to OGAI after receiving a market participant's response to their complaint, with OGAI reviewing appeals within 30 days. The second level of appeal is handled by the Appellate Authority under the Secretary of MeitY within 30 days of receipt.
The rules introduce user protection measures, including age verification systems, content age restrictions, parental control tools, session time limits, complaint mechanisms, and support for fair play monitoring.
In summary, India is banning real money games through federal law, reinforcing this ban by blocking transactions via banks and imposing proportional fines after digital disputes. Esports and social games are granted a legal corridor with mandatory or optional registration. The establishment of OGAI with a registry, two-tier appeal process, and coordination with banks creates a centralized regulatory infrastructure for the Indian online gaming market.