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Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026

Rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, establishing the Online Gaming Authority of India and the framework for determination, registration and oversight of online games, e-sports and online social games.

Versions and amendment history

Original Act, amendments and notices

  1. Original ActVersion 1Current versionLegacy – pending validationIn force · In force from the start · Published 13 Nov 2026

Official text

Verbatim from the Gazette

  1. R. 6 Powers and functions of the Authority

    The Online Gaming Authority of India maintains the list of online money games, records determinations and registrations, inquires into complaints, and issues directions, guidelines and codes of practice for offering online games.

    Obligations under this section

    • Maintain and publish the list of online money games (R. 26).
    • Record and publish determined or registered games.
    • Issue directions on registration, grievance redressal, user verification and payments.

  2. R. 8 Determination of an online game

    An online game must be determined by the Authority where it is offered as an e-sport, where the Central Government notifies a category of social games, or where the Authority acts suo motu.

    Obligations under this section

    • Apply in the Authority's digital form with details under Rule 23.
    • Determination is triggered by e-sport intent, Government notification, or suo motu notice.
    • No determination needed for ordinary social games unless required.

  3. R. 9 Factors for determination

    The Authority weighs whether the game involves payment of fees or stakes, an expectation of monetary winnings, the revenue model, and how rewards or in-game assets can be monetised outside the game.

    Obligations under this section

    • Stakes deposited in expectation of winnings indicate an online money game.
    • Subscription or one-time access fees indicate a social game.
    • Bets and wagers in expectation of winnings indicate an online money game.

  4. R. 10 Procedure for determination

    On a suo motu or application-based determination, the Authority issues notice, examines technical architecture, gameplay, revenue model and user interface, and issues a determination order, ordinarily within ninety days.

    Obligations under this section

    • Provide a reasonable opportunity to submit representation.
    • Examine technical architecture, gameplay mechanics and revenue model.
    • Determination order issued within ninety days of a complete application.

  5. R. 12-14 Registration and Certificate of Registration

    Games requiring registration must apply to the Authority; on success a digital Certificate of Registration with a unique number is issued, valid up to ten years unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled.

    Obligations under this section

    • Separate registration required for each online game.
    • Online money games cannot be registered as e-sports.
    • Certificate valid up to ten years; suspension or cancellation only after a hearing.

  6. R. 15-20 Ongoing operator obligations

    Operators must display determination or registration details, avoid misrepresentation, designate a point of contact, retain data on computer resources in India, comply with payment-facilitation rules, and run a grievance redressal mechanism.

    Obligations under this section

    • Prominently display determination or registration; no misrepresentation.
    • Retain traffic data and metadata in India per directions.
    • Maintain a functional grievance redressal mechanism with appeal to the Authority.

  7. R. 21-22 Imposition and recovery of penalty

    On a complaint or suo motu, the Authority inquires into alleged non-compliance under Section 12 of the Act, and may impose penalties, suspend or cancel registration, or prohibit offering the game; penalties are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

    Obligations under this section

    • Inquiry concluded within ninety days of the complaint.
    • Authority may penalise, suspend/cancel registration, or prohibit the game.
    • Penalties credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Compliance Rules

14 rules

Online Game Service Provider

4 triggers · 14 rules

Consumable API

JSON endpoints. Read access is open; no key is needed.

# Fetch the full law as JSON
curl http://backend.laac-dev.local:8000/laac-api/v1/laws/online-gaming-rules-2026

# Just the penalty schedule
curl http://backend.laac-dev.local:8000/laac-api/v1/laws/online-gaming-rules-2026/penalties

# A specific provision
curl http://backend.laac-dev.local:8000/laac-api/v1/laws/online-gaming-rules-2026/provisions/r6