India's New Online Gaming Rules: Striking a Balance

The Ministry of Electronics and IT has unveiled the eagerly anticipated rules for regulating online gaming, aiming to create a balanced and safe gaming environment. The new provisions will exclude most non-real-money games from mandatory registration, though esports will still require it as per the parent Act.

IT Secretary S Krishnan emphasized a 'regulation-light' approach, stating that only certain conditions will trigger oversight. These include actions initiated by the authority or involving esports games. Additionally, the central government holds the option to define specific social game categories requiring oversight.

The rules explicitly state user safety measures, promoting the growth of esports and social gaming while banning real money gaming. Stakeholders have significantly influenced these guidelines through 2,500 pieces of feedback collected in October 2025.