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India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released draft rules to regulate online gaming, following from the recent ban on real-money gaming.
The draft outlines provisions to regulate esports and social gaming, alongside mechanisms to categorise, register and monitor platforms. It is currently open for consultation.
Anchoring the framework is the proposed Online Gaming Authority of India, headquartered in Delhi-NCR. This body would be responsible for deciding whether a game qualifies as a money game, esports or a social game and then manage their registration.
It will include senior representatives from ministries overseeing broadcasting, youth affairs, financial services and technology.
The draft also seeks to formalise esports as a competitive category under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This is seen as a milestone by industry leaders who argue the decision legitimises esports on par with traditional sports.
Operators of esports and social gaming platforms will be required to register each game with key details such as revenue models, age restrictions and safety features.
For users, the framework introduces multiple layers of grievance redressal, beginning with companies themselves and escalating to the Grievance Appellate Committee and ultimately the gaming authority.
Penalties, including suspensions and prohibitions, may be applied for non-compliance.
Although the ban on real-money games remains in place, the rules show the Government’s intent to formalise and regulate the gaming ecosystem.
