| Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of India | |
| |
| Citation | Act No. 32 of 2025 |
| Territorial extent | India |
| Enacted by | Lok Sabha |
| Passed | 20 August 2025 |
| Enacted by | Rajya Sabha |
| Passed | 21 August 2025 |
| Assented to | 22 August 2025 |
| Commenced | TBA |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha | Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 |
| Bill citation | Bill No. 110 of 2025 |
| Introduced by | Ashwini Vaishnav |
| First reading | 20 August 2025 |
| Second reading | 20 August 2025 |
| Third reading | 21 August 2025 |
| Summary | |
| Creates a regulatory framework for online games in India, including online games, e-sports and online gambling. It prohibits online money games and defines punishment for offering & advertising them. It also recognises e-sports as competitive sport and aims to promote and develop them. | |
| Keywords | |
| Online gambling, Sports betting, Online game, Esports | |
| Status: Unknown | |
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is an Act of the Parliament of India which provides a comprehensive legal framework for the licensing, classification, and regulation of online gaming in India. The Act seeks to promote online gaming as an emerging industry while ensuring consumer protection, responsible gaming practices, and safeguards against illegal betting and gambling.[1][2][3]
Timeline[edit | edit source]
- 19 August 2025:Cabinet approved the bill to be introduced.
- 20 August 2025: the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was introduced and passed in Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India.[4]
- 21 August 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was introduced and passed in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India.
- 22 August 2025: the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 received assent by the President of India making it the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
Background[edit | edit source]
India's online gaming industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, accompanied by rising concerns over addiction, underage participation, financial fraud, and the blurred distinction between skill-based and chance-based games. Regulation of gaming was earlier left to states, creating fragmented frameworks. The Act was introduced to provide a uniform national regime, harmonised with international best practices, while also promoting investment and innovation in esports, technology, and digital entertainment.[5][6]
Provisions[edit | edit source]
Regulatory Authority[edit | edit source]
- The Act establishes a National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC) to regulate and license online gaming platforms.
- The NOGC is composed of a Chairperson and members with expertise in law, information technology, consumer protection, economics, and public administration.
- State governments may create state-level regulatory authorities under the overall supervision of the NOGC.
Licensing of Platforms[edit | edit source]
- All online gaming platforms must obtain a licence from the NOGC to operate in India.
- Only licensed platforms can advertise, collect user deposits, or conduct prize-based competitions.
- Licences may be suspended or cancelled for violations of the Act or conditions of licence.
Classification of Games[edit | edit source]
- Games are classified as:
- Permissible online games of skill, such as esports and fantasy sports.
- Prohibited online games of chance, including those involving betting or wagering with money.
- Hybrid games containing elements of both skill and chance are to be classified by the NOGC.
Consumer Protection and Responsible Gaming[edit | edit source]
- Platforms must verify the identity and age of users, disallowing access to minors.
- Mandatory features include self-exclusion, time limits, and deposit limits.
- Advertisements must not target children and must include responsible gaming warnings.
- Licensed platforms must provide grievance redressal mechanisms and ensure data protection.
Financial Oversight[edit | edit source]
- Licensed platforms must hold user funds in segregated accounts and ensure refundability.
- Compliance with Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 is mandatory.
- Strong anti-money laundering and anti-fraud systems are required.
Dispute Resolution[edit | edit source]
- The Act establishes an Online Gaming Appellate Tribunal to adjudicate disputes between users, licensees, and regulators.
- The tribunal has powers of a civil court.
- Appeals from the tribunal lie directly before the Supreme Court of India.
Penalties[edit | edit source]
- Unlicensed operation of online gaming platforms is punishable with fines and imprisonment.
- Violations such as misleading advertising, manipulation of outcomes, or breach of consumer safeguards attract graded penalties.
Promotion of Industry[edit | edit source]
- The Act recognises online gaming as a sector eligible for government incentives and investment promotion.
- It encourages development of esports infrastructure, research on mental health impacts, and skill development programmes in gaming-related fields.
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025[edit | edit source]
On October 12, 2025, MeitY released the Draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, in terms of section 19 of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.[7]
On 22 April 2026, the government of India has notified the rules.
Challenge before Court[edit | edit source]
The provisions of the Act have been challenged before Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi high courts by the affected parties.[7] Subsequently, on September 8, the central government's petition, Supreme Court of India transferred all the pending and future challenge cases to the Supreme Court.[7]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Esports in India
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Centre may ban all forms of real money games, penalise influencers promoting them". The Indian Express. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ "Gaming Bill: Centre to ban money-based online gaming, set to table in Parliament on this day - Key details here". The Times of India. 19 August 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ Ahmed, Aftab; Kalra, Aditya (19 August 2025). "India plans to ban online games played with money, citing addiction risks". Reuters. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ "Online Gaming Bill tabled in Lok Sabha, MeitY Secy explains the blanket ban". The Economic Times. 20 August 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ↑ "Proposed online gaming bill could wipe out India's real money gaming sector, push users offshore, warn industry leaders". The Economic Times. 19 August 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ Prata, Divya (19 August 2025). "Online Gaming Bill To Be Introduced In Parliament On Wednesday". NDTV Profit. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Singh, Mohit (7 September 2025). "Supreme Court - Challenge to Online Money Gaming Law". One Law Street. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
External links[edit | edit source]
- The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026. at indianexpress.com