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October 29, 2025

Summary: Draft Promotion And Regulation Of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 

Author: Shivanshi Gupta

The Draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 (“Rules”) seek to implement key provisions of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (“Act”) and introduce measures to promote the structured growth of legitimate e-sports and social gaming. They establish a framework for determining whether an online game qualifies as an online money game. Additionally, the Rules outline procedures for the recognition, classification, and registration of legitimate e-sports and online social games and require the maintenance of a National Online Social Games and e-sports Registry. They also ensure a transparent, digital, and accountable regulatory structure, supported by a robust grievance redressal mechanism to protect users.  

A central feature of the Rules is the establishment of the Online Gaming Authority of India (“Authority”). The Authority possesses powers of a civil court and is entrusted with key regulatory responsibilities, including assessing whether an online game constitutes an online money game, online social game, or e-sport; recognising and registering eligible games; maintaining a National Online Social Games and E-sports Registry; issuing directions and codes of practice; and imposing penalties for non-compliance. 

Under the proposed Rules, online game service providers are required to apply digitally for registration of online social games or e-sports, furnishing details on user safety features, age suitability, and non-involvement of monetary stakes. The Authority may also suo motu determine the classification of a game and prohibit its operation or advertisement if found non-compliant. Upon registering as an online social game, the Authority shall issue a certificate of registration to the online game service provider with a unique registration number in relation to such online social game or e-sport, which can be cancelled or have an inquiry made by the Authority, on receipt of any complaint.

Further, the Rules mandate a structured grievance redressal mechanism for redressal of grievances from any user in relation to the online social games or e-sport offered by it. Registered service providers must establish internal grievance systems, while unresolved complaints may be escalated to the Grievance Appellate Committee under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and subsequently to the Authority, under specified timelines. The Authority may issue remedial directions, enforce compliance, and impose penalties. 

Disclaimer: Views, opinions, interpretations are solely those of the author, not of the firm (ALG India Law Offices LLP) nor reflective thereof. Author submissions are not checked for plagiarism or any other aspect before being posted.

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