Why Parliament passed it
The preamble names the harms the Act targets. Money games that take deposits and promise returns, it says, damage players socially, financially and psychologically, and some rely on addictive algorithms, bots and hidden agents. It also points to heavy advertising through celebrities and influencers, to links with fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, and to the many services run from offshore, out of reach of state laws.
Three kinds of online game
| Category | What it is | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-sport | A competitive multiplayer game decided by skill, recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, with no bets on it | Recognised and registered |
| Online social game | A game played for entertainment or learning, with no stake and no money to win; a subscription is allowed | Recognised; registration where the Centre notifies it |
| Online money game | Any game played by paying fees or depositing money in the hope of winning money, whether by skill, chance or both | Banned |
Credits, coins and tokens bought with money count as stakes too.
What the Online Gaming Act bans, and the penalties
| Offence | Section | First conviction | Repeat conviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offering an online money game | 5, 9(1) | Up to 3 years, fine up to ₹1 crore, or both | 3 to 5 years and ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore |
| Advertising one | 6, 9(2) | Up to 2 years, fine up to ₹50 lakh, or both | 2 to 3 years and ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore |
| Processing payments for one | 7, 9(3) | Up to 3 years, fine up to ₹1 crore, or both | 3 to 5 years and ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore |
Offering a money game and processing payments for one are cognizable, non-bailable offences. Where a company commits an offence, the people in charge of its business can be prosecuted with it. Ignoring a direction of the Centre or the Authority can cost a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh.
Enforcement
Any online money gaming service that breaks the Act can be blocked under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. A notification of April 2026 lets the officers in charge of state and union territory cyber cells investigate offences, and an authorised officer may search any place, physical or digital, and arrest without a warrant.
The court challenge
Challenges to the Act were transferred to the Supreme Court and are heard together as Transferred Case (Civil) No. 133 of 2025, Head Digital Works v Union of India, with connected matters. In November 2025 the Court asked the Union government for a comprehensive reply. An office report of April 2026 records no stay, so the Act applies while the case continues.
Questions
When did the Act come into force?
On 1 May 2026, the date appointed by notification S.O. 1994(E) of 22 April 2026.
Does the Act ban online rummy and poker?
Yes, when they are played for money. The definition of an online money game covers games of skill as well as games of chance.
Sources
- Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, MeitY text with the corrigenda of August 2025
- S.O. 1994(E), commencement; S.O. 1992(E), Online Gaming Authority of India; S.O. 1993(E), investigating officers, all of 22 April 2026
- Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, G.S.R. 303(E)
- PIB on the Rules, 22 April 2026
- Supreme Court office report, T.C.(C) 133 of 2025