Online Gaming Rules 2026: The Union Government has notified the comprehensive regulatory framework for new online gaming rules. These rules would ban real money games in India while increasing support for social gaming and e-sports online.
Enacted by Parliament in August 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 is set to come into effect next week, on 1 May 2026.
Online Gaming Rules 2026–What Would It Change For Players And Customers?
The new rules define framework for user safety features. This includes transparency and grievance redressal obligations for e-sports service providers and specific categories of online social games. The rules completely ban money games across India while only e-sports and online social games being allowed to operate.
DON'T MISS
Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, a game’s terms of service should display prominently the designate point of contact and relevant details while following data retention guidelines and observe the required directions issued on facilitation of payments. Furthermore, the revised rules list out deposit of money or payment of fees, revenue models, expectations of monetary winnings and how in-game assets would be monetized out the game as factors determining whether a certain game is a “real money game”.
Sections 115BBJ and 194BA of the Income-tax Act would be applied to any income that gets generated on different gaming platforms and treated as ‘income from other sources.’
Delhi Police Reports 250 Illegal Apps
More than 250 sports betting and illegal gambling apps have been reported by Delhi Police over issues of betting and cheating scams. A senior police officer from the police headquarters remarked that we have been preparing a comprehensive list of illegal online gaming apps since October 2025.
Delhi Police arrested 2 men in December 2025 who were betting on international cricket matches and started an app called ‘Project Plus 2025.’ Another Police Officer remarked that Delhi Police has written to social media platforms and Play Store NOT to promote these websites and apps.
