The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meit) of India has confirmed that the Online Game Promotion and Regulation Act 2026 will enter into force on 1 May this year and will establish the Indian Online Game Authority (OGAI). According to the Official Gazette of India, the Online Games Authority will act as a unified regulator under the Ministry of Electronic Information Technology of India to oversee the implementation of the new standards of compliance for playing platforms.
OGAI introduced a 90-day decision-making process to define and supervise the type of game, including online gold games, online social games and electronic games. Its rights also include penalties for violations, suspension of registration and closure of operations. Although the business entity in the game industry may continue to operate without registration with the Authority, OGAI may access and review any game. However, the Authority can review and classify games in only three cases: 1. The competent authorities decide to review them; 2. Games are electronic competition projects; and 3. The central Government informs that a review of a particular type of social game is carried out. Of these, electronic competitive bidding projects require formal registration and certificates may be valid for up to 10 years. According to India ‘ s National Sports Administration Act 2025,Online genuine gold games explicitly prohibit the recognition of electronic competition projects.
OGAI will assess whether the game is eligible for online gold games and may issue restrictions if necessary. Compulsory registration will be implemented for games with high user participation, involving financial transactions and classified as high risk. The issuing country/region will be taken into account in deciding whether registration is required. Banks, payment gateways and financial institutions also need to verify registration or award certificates before processing payments for these platforms. Related transactions classified as “gold game” may be stopped. The new regulations also impose security measures such as age verification, parental control, complaint handling, fair play monitoring and responsible lottery protection. In addition, users can file complaints with the platform, or, if necessary, with OGAI, and further with the Department of Electronic Information Technology.
The Online Game Promotion and Regulation Bill was first passed in the Indian Parliament in August 2025. The bill defines a general ban on online gold games and prohibits the advertising of such platforms. The new regulations also prohibit banks, payment gateways and other financial institutions from providing trade services for such platforms. The offender is liable to imprisonment for up to three years/a fine of up to 30 million rupees. The Act marks the first time that India has formally defined electronic competition as an ecosystem dominated by distributors and regulated by technical and licensing principles, rather than a coalition-driven model. It also marks the official end of the Indian gold game ecosystem.