India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has drafted new rules to guide the regulation of online gaming across the country. The proposal marks a major shift from the government’s former stance that led to bans on real-money gaming. The new plan seeks to bring structure, transparency and official oversight to the gaming industry rather than focusing on restrictions.

The aim of the proposal is to create a national body known as the Online Gaming Authority of India, which will be based in Delhi-NCR. The authority will classify games, approve registrations, and monitor the sector. It will also decide if a game is esports, money-based, or just for fun.

Introducing the Online Gaming Authority of India

According to the draft, the new authority will include senior representatives from several key ministries such as broadcasting, youth affairs, financial services and technology. Their main task will be to ensure that gaming companies operate within clear legal and ethical boundaries.

The authority will register all gaming operators and platforms. Companies must share details about their games, such as revenue models, age limits, safety, and data protection. This will make the gaming market more organised and prevent illegal or harmful activities.

Companies that break the rules may face suspensions, fines, or bans, depending on the offence.

Esports Gains Official Recognition

A key highlight of the draft is the formal recognition of esports as an official competitive category under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This move is being celebrated by the gaming community as a major step forward for the industry.

Esports will now be treated like traditional sports, allowing for government support, sponsorships, and organised competitions. Nodwin Gaming’s Co-founder, Akshat Rathee, said this move will help esports grow and support the local and professional tournaments in India.

Industry leaders believe this recognition will help attract investors and motivate more young players to consider esports as a serious career option.

Focus on Player Protection and Grievance Redressal

The new rules focus on player safety and consumer protection. A three-step complaint system will help resolve issues quickly. Players first report problems to the gaming company, then to the Grievance Appellate Committee, and finally to the gaming authority if needed.

The rules also seek to encourage responsible gaming by demanding operators to clearly display age restrictions and promote healthy play habits. While the ban on real-money games remains, the government’s draft shows a clear intention to formalise and regulate online gaming in a balanced way.

Overall, the new framework represents India’s growing recognition of gaming and esports as a major industry that can create jobs, entertainment and opportunities, if guided responsibly and fairly.