By Rounak Khare
The draft rules for online gaming have been released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), who have also proposed the creation of a regulatory body called the Online Gaming Authority of India. The draft rules are open for consultation until 31st October.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 is intended to be operationalised through these rules. The PROG Act bans real money gaming platforms like online rummy, poker and fantasy sports. Only social games and e-sports are permitted by this Act.
The violations of the draft rules will be treated as non-bailable offences, where all company employees will be held accountable. The Online Gaming Authority of India is tentatively going to be a corporate body headquartered in the National Capital, with permanent existence and a common seal. The powers held by the jurisdiction of this authority include the acquisition and sale of property, entering into contracts, and to sue or be sued in its own name.
The registration and certification of social games and e-sports will be overseen by this authority. It will also maintain the national registry of approved games. The authority to determine whether a game is betting-based or unlawful lies with this body.
Without requiring any physical presence, the authority can operate digitally, and can summon and examine individuals under oath through technology. The members of this authority will include Ministry officials, legal experts and officials from financial institutions. Officials who work in the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs will be a part of this authority.
Also set to be established is a grievance redressal system. This will enable users to escalate complaints which have not been resolved yet to an appellate committee and eventually to the authority, which must resolve cases within 30 days.