India Introduces New Rules for Online Gaming and Gambling
India has introduced a new regulatory framework for the online gaming sector. The Regulation of Online Gambling Rules 2026 came into force on May 1, alongside the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.
The new framework creates a central system for classifying online games and separating prohibited money games from permitted social games and esports. Online money games are defined as games where users pay fees or stakes with a reasonable expectation of monetary winnings. These products will be prohibited under the new rules.
A key part of the framework is the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India. The authority will operate under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and will be responsible for game classification, enforcement, user appeals, and the publication of an official list of prohibited online money games.
The regulator will assess several factors when classifying games, including the nature of fees, expected monetary rewards, revenue models, and whether in-game assets can be monetized outside the game environment. Classification decisions are expected within 90 days of a complete application or notice.
The rules also introduce registration requirements for esports and certain online game categories. Registered providers will receive a digital certificate valid for up to ten years. However, games classified as online money games will not be eligible for esports recognition.
Platforms must also implement user safety measures, including age verification, parental controls, time limits, in-app reporting, and fair play systems. The framework also creates a multi-stage grievance process, allowing users to appeal platform decisions to the new authority.
India’s new rules mark another step in tightening control over online gambling while creating a clearer structure for esports and social gaming.
