Indian IT Ministry releases draft rules for new online gaming law

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s draft is open for consultation.

India.- The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the Draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025. The proposal is framed under section 19 of the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which came into force last month. Comments on the draft rules can be submited until October 31. 

The draft rules set out a a framework for the recognition, categorisation and registration of permitted e-sports and online social games, outlining a framework for the determination of an online game as an online money game or otherwise. They also mandate maintenance of the National Online Social Games and E-sports Registry and outline a grievance redressal mechanism intended to safeguard users. 

The draft rules are organised into eight parts. The first outlines a timeline and provides key definitions. Part II outlines the roles of different ministries in promoting e-sport or online social gaming, with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports responsible for e-sports and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for promotion of online social games.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting may also issue guidelines for categorising social games in relation to age-appropriate content and the categorisation of online social games for recreational, educational, skill development purposes. Registration of both e-sports and social games is managed by the Online Gaming Authority of India. 

Part III details the establishment of the authority as a corporate body with powers similar to a civil court to conduct inquiries and summon individuals. Composed of a chairperson and five other ex officio members from various government ministries, it is empowered to determine if a game is an “online money game,” register games, issue directions, and impose penalties. Decisions made by the authority can be appealed to the Appellate Authority within 30 days. 

Part IV describes the application process for obtaining registration with the authority, which will be completely in digital form and requires details such as the game’s description, target age group, and revenue model. If the authority determines a game is a prohibited “online money game”, it will order the halt of operations if it is. For an e-sport to be registered, it must first be recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Part V covers the Certificate of Registration issued by the authority, which is valid for up to five years. Online gaming service providers must inform the Authority of any “material change” that could alter a game’s nature, such as a shift in its revenue model. The certificate can be cancelled or suspended for reasons like a game becoming an online money game, repeated violations, or making false statements in the application.

Part VI outlines the process for imposing penalties for non-compliance under section 12 of the PROG Act, which the authority can initiate on its own or based on a complaint. Part VII establishes a three-tiered system for resolving user complaints, starting with the registered online game service provider’s internal mechanism. If a user is dissatisfied, they can appeal first to the Grievance Appellate Committee (established under rule 3A of the IT Intermediary Rules, 2021) and then to the authority.

This final part addresses administrative matters, including a transitional provision allowing for the repayment of user funds collected before the PROG Act’s enforcement for a period of 180 days. It also mandates that the authority must prepare and submit an annual report of its activities to the Central Government.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s draft is open for consultation. India.- The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the Draft Promotion and Regulation of…