Government Sets Up Central Body to Monitor Online Social Games and Esports

The government has announced the formation of a central regulatory body for online gaming. Operating under the IT ministry, the authority will oversee money-gaming bans, maintain a registry of approved and banned games, and introduce a structured registration system for social games and esports, as per the Economic Times report.

Digital Regulatory Office with Civil Court Powers

The Online Gaming Authority of India will operate as a fully digital office headquartered in Delhi-NCR. It has been granted powers equivalent to a civil court, enabling it to inspect records, impose penalties, direct financial institutions, and issue compliance directives.

The authority will maintain a National Registry of Online Social Games and E-sports, listing both approved games and those prohibited as money games. Registered games will receive a Certificate of Registration valid for up to five years.

Draft Rules to Ban Money-Based Online Games

The regulator will function under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). MeitY has notified the draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, which prohibit all online games involving betting, wagering, or cash-convertible winnings, classifying them as “online money games.”

Platforms offering such games may face registration cancellation, advertising restrictions, penalties, and blocked financial transactions. Banks and intermediaries will be directed not to process payments for these prohibited games.

Transition Period and Division of Responsibilities

The draft rules provide a 180 day transition period for companies to refund user funds collected before the rules come into effect.

Responsibilities for different types of games are divided across ministries: esports will be promoted and recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, while online social games will be regulated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which may issue content guidelines to ensure safety, age appropriateness, and educational value.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Online Gaming Authority is empowered to suspend or cancel registrations, impose financial penalties, or bar platforms from operating in case of violations. Repeat offenders may face stricter actions. Penalties collected will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Read More: Real Money Gaming Ban: Centre Likely to Lose ₹10,000-12,000 Crore Annually.

Public Feedback and Implementation

The draft rules are open for public comments until October 31, 2025. Once implemented, the framework is expected to clarify regulatory responsibilities, curb illegal money gaming, and enable a structured environment for social gaming and esports in India.

Conclusion

The formation of the Online Gaming Authority of India marks a step toward regulated online gaming. By maintaining a registry, enforcing bans on money-based games, and promoting esports, the new authority aims to provide clarity and oversight for the growing online gaming sector.

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