India Establishes New Gaming Regulator Under MeitY

India has launched a new regulatory body to oversee the country’s real-money online gaming sector. The institution, named the Online Gaming Authority of India, will operate under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and be based in Delhi.

The authority will be responsible for implementing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which defines the licensing, supervision, and compliance framework for online gaming, including e-sports and social games.

It will have the power to issue five-year licenses, reject unqualified applications, impose penalties for violations, and maintain a National Registry of Online Games and E-Sports that lists all prohibited real-money games.

Public consultation on the draft regulation and the definition of “money games” is open until 31 October. According to the proposal, any digital product involving bets, stakes, or cash prizes will be classified as a “money game” and strictly prohibited.

The move reflects growing concerns over gambling addiction and the spread of betting advertisements targeting young audiences. The new rules are expected to affect both domestic and international operators, with major tech firms already adapting to the changing regulatory environment.