Delhi-based authority to oversee the implementation of India’s real-money gaming ban
October 5, 2025 | CasinoVVV News Desk
The Government of India has launched a public consultation process to define the regulatory framework for online gaming, following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The initiative seeks to oversee and license online gaming activities — particularly those involving monetary stakes — and to establish a new body, the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
According to SBC News, the new Delhi-based authority will act as the central regulator for the country’s online gaming ecosystem. The consultation period is open until October 31, 2025, focusing on the definition of “money games” and on outlining the authority’s operational powers.
Legal Background
The PROG Act, 2025, passed by India’s Parliament in August and effective from October 1, 2025, prohibits all online games that involve wagering, deposits, or monetary prizes, while allowing the operation of regulated social and skill-based games.
The law designates MeitY as the implementing ministry responsible for oversight and compliance.
Experts describe the Act as India’s first attempt to create a unified federal framework for online gaming regulation — moving away from the fragmented, state-by-state approach that previously governed the sector.
Role and Functions of the New Authority
The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), as proposed under MeitY’s draft rules, will have the following core functions:
• License and register online games that comply with the Act.
• Maintain a National Registry of Social Games and eSports.
• Define what constitutes a “money game” versus a permissible format.
• Handle public complaints and appeals related to online gaming operations.
The regulator’s establishment is expected to bring coherence to India’s regulatory environment, consolidating oversight and providing legal clarity to operators and consumers alike.
Industry Reactions
Reactions across India’s gaming sector have been mixed. While many stakeholders welcome clearer regulation, others express concern about the potential economic impact on the country’s real-money gaming industry.
Flutter Entertainment, parent company of Junglee Games, told Reuters it has shut down its money-based gaming operations in India following the law’s enforcement.
Similarly, Mobile Premier League (MPL) has announced significant workforce reductions and a strategic review of its India operations.
As noted by SBC News, the creation of OGAI was first hinted at in August 2025, when the legislation was introduced to Parliament, with the stated goal of “regulating, promoting, and developing India’s online gaming sector — including social, educational, and eSports activities.”
Key Challenges
• The distinction between skill-based and chance-based games remains legally ambiguous and will be central to the consultation process.
• Some Indian states may challenge the new law on the grounds of jurisdictional conflict, as gambling regulation traditionally falls under state authority.
• The transition period could prove difficult for operators until the final version of the rules is published.
• Industry groups caution that overly restrictive enforcement could push players toward unregulated offshore platforms and reduce domestic tax revenues.
Outlook
The Indian government maintains that its goal is to protect consumers and encourage responsible gaming, while enabling a transparent and legally compliant digital entertainment market.
If implemented effectively, the new regulator could lay the groundwork for a safer, more accountable, and innovation-friendly gaming ecosystem.
Editor’s Insight
India’s public consultation marks a defining moment for the country’s digital gaming industry.
By balancing regulation with innovation, the government has an opportunity to set a global example for how emerging markets can manage the risks of online gambling without stifling growth.
However, as the details are refined, clarity and fairness in implementation will determine whether India’s new regulatory framework fosters trust — or drives legitimate operators offshore.