The rules notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT will operationalize the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

• The act categorizes online games as E-Sport, Online Social Games, and Online Money Games.
• It prohibits all forms of online money games (e.g., poker & fantasy sports), while only allowing “online social games” and e-sports.

Key Highlights of Draft Rules 

• Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): It will be established to regulate online games, maintain registry, decide legality, impose penalties etc.
  • It will have a chairperson and five other members from various government ministries.
• Registration of Games: Both social games and e-sports must register with the OGAI and seek a valid Certificate of Registration.
• 3-Tiered Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Every registered online game or e-sport provider must maintain a functional grievance redressal mechanism for user complaints.
  • Appeals can be made to the Grievance Appellate Committee and then to the Authority.
• Violation: The draft rules propose to make violations a non-bailable offence and hold the entire company staff liable for facilitating any breach.