The Indian gaming system is has changed from being self regulated to now having its own law. There have been doubts about what matters more in this sector. Some believe that skills are important while other things that the games are based on luck. Games like rummy and fantasy sports were treated as legal because courts found skill to be the deciding factor. Games like dice, roulette and lotteries were treated as gambling. This difference is useful but there was still exploitation. Platforms structured poker, teen patti, and prediction formats to sit in a grey zone and argued that they are skill- based while they worked like betting products. The act closes this loophole entirely. It imposes ban on real-money gaming that includes games of skill, chance, or a mixed nature. If there are stakes then the game will not be allowed even if it requires skills.
The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGA) is a digital-regulator. It is controlled by the Additional Secretary, MeitY with Joint Secretary-level representation from Home Affairs, Finance, Information and Broadcasting as well as Youth Affairs and Sports along with Law and JusticeThe role of the authority is to maintain and publish the list of online money games, address the complaints, issue directions and codes of practice, hear appeals as well as coordinate with financial institutions and law enforcement. For gaming companies, this means a single point of regulatory contact has replaced the earlier broken system of Self-Regulatory Bodies under the IT Rules, 2023.
A company needs clarity before it can operate Before a company can operate. This is to find on which bucket its product falls into. First, there is an application by the service provider itself, or notification by the Central Government. Then there are factors like payment of stakes, expectation of monetary winnings, revenue model and monetisation of in-game assets outside the game. The completion time for this process is within 90 days and a determination order has to be issued specific to the game and provider. This is the first step any gaming business should take. Operating without a determination, or worse, operating after a determination puts the game in online money game category and exposes the company and its officers to criminal liability.
The Registration under the Rules is not required for every product. It is needed for e-sports and the categories of online social games notified by the that the Central Government. Successful registration gives you a digital Certificate of Registration which is valid for up to 10 years but the validity also depends on other factors like risk to users, scale of operation, financial transaction volume and country of origin of the platform. One interesting point is that online money games are not eligible for registration or recognition as e-sports under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. This closes another authority that platforms previously used. They rebranded stake-based formats as competitive e-sports. Registered service providers must display their registration details which are point of contact, follow data retention requirements, and how payments are being processed.
The companies who operate permissible games have to follow safety obligations according to The Rules. The obligations are Age verification, age gating, time restrictions and parental controls. The safety features and internal grievance mechanisms should be shown at the time of application. Every service provider should also have a working grievance redressal system. The users have 30 days to file complain with the authority and the authority works on the appeal within 30 days. The user can also make a second appeal with Appellate Authority. This two-tier structure gives companies a predictable timeline but it also means unresolved user complaints escalate quickly There is also a risk management system that the gaming companies should follow. A company must show that its product involves stakes or an expectation of monetary winnings. This is very important for the company’s legal status. Advertising money games is criminalized so the marketing team and partners need the same clearance as the product team. Gambling is a State subject under Entry 34 of the State List and companies operating across states should be alert to potential centre-state conflicts even under the central framework. The rules do not fully solve the enforcement challenge posed by offshore operators using VPN access and mirror websites. Companies should not assume they are outside finally, businesses like e-sport it is an asset to have registration. Companies need to have a valid Certificate of Registration that offers legal back up that the earlier SRO verification system did not provide.
It is to be concluded that compliance conversation in Indian gaming law has really changed. It is no longer about winning the skill vs chance argument. It is about revenue model classification, registration status, and following a centralised, digital-first regulatory authority. Gaming companies, investors and legal advisors now prioritise audit. The three-category framework and building compliance systems around determination, registration, user safety and grievance redressal make sure that
Hrehaan Tuli is a law graduate and content contributor for Legallands.com, recognized for his clear, research-based approach to writing on global trade, digital policy, and corporate compliance. His articles reflect a nuanced understanding of international legal frameworks and their practical implications for businesses operating across borders.
With a strong foundation in commercial and regulatory law, Hrehaan focuses on analyzing evolving trade agreements, data governance models, and compliance mechanisms shaping the modern corporate landscape. His work emphasizes clarity, legal accuracy, and practical relevance—making complex legal concepts accessible to both professionals and entrepreneurs.
Through his association with LEGALLANDS LLP, Hrehaan contributes to thought leadership in the areas of digital economy law, trade facilitation, and transnational corporate regulation, supporting informed decision-making in a rapidly changing global market.
