The Indian government has unveiled plans to establish the Online Gaming Authority of India. This new body will be chaired by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Its mandate includes overseeing e-sports and digital social games while enforcing a ban on real money gaming.
The draft rules, issued under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, outline the authority’s structure. It will coordinate with several central government departments. These include information and broadcasting, youth affairs and sports, and financial services.
E-sports will gain formal recognition under the PROG Act. The Youth Affairs and Sports ministry will administer this segment. Meanwhile, provisions for online social games will fall under the information and broadcasting ministry.
The Online Gaming Authority will function as a digital office. It may adopt technological measures to conduct proceedings without requiring physical presence. This approach aims to streamline operations and enhance accessibility.
Leadership of the authority will be held by a chairperson at the Additional Secretary rank in MeitY. A joint secretary will serve in the absence of an additional secretary. This ensures continuous oversight and governance.
One key responsibility of the authority is approving e-sports and online social games for legal play in India. It can also cancel or suspend registrations if violations occur. This power helps maintain compliance with the Act.
If the authority identifies an online game as a real money game, it will direct the service provider to cease operations immediately. Advertising, promotion, or facilitation of such games will be prohibited. Action as prescribed under the Act will follow.
Penalties for offering online money gaming services are severe. Offenders face imprisonment up to three years or fines up to Rs 1 crore, or both. This underscores the government’s strict stance.
Entities advertising online money games will not be spared. They risk imprisonment for up to two years or fines up to Rs 50 lakh, or both. The Act leaves no room for leniency.
Financial facilitators are also targeted. Anyone engaging in transactions contravening the Act may face three years in jail or Rs 1 crore fines, or both. This aims to cut off funding streams.
Authorized officers can enter any place, physical or digital, to search and arrest suspects without a warrant. This applies to those suspected of committing or planning offences under the PROG Act 2025.
Offences under Sections 5 and 7 are cognizable and non-bailable. This is specified despite provisions in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. It highlights the seriousness of these violations.
Section 5 prohibits offering, aiding, or engaging in online money games and services. Section 7 bars banks and others from facilitating financial transactions for such services. These sections form the core of the ban.
The draft rules were framed under Section 19 of the PROG Act. This Act received the President’s assent and was notified on August 22. It reflects parliamentary approval from August.
Officers conducting searches under the Act are protected from lawsuits or legal proceedings. This immunity encourages rigorous enforcement. The Ministry of Electronics and IT is seeking feedback on the draft rules by October 31.