No Games Registered Under India's New Online Gaming Rules After Four Months

Four months after India's new online gaming law came into force, the government has reported that no games have been officially registered under the new framework. Concurrently, the number of complaints related to the sector is on the rise.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) informed the Central Information Commission that, as of September 1, 2026, the Online Gaming Authority of India had not registered any games under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The ministry also reported receiving 201 complaints concerning online gaming by September 2026, without specifying the nature of these complaints.

The law, which officially took effect in May 2026, prohibits all online money games, including those based on skill or chance, along with associated advertising and fund transfer facilitation. The regulations apply to both domestic and foreign operators. However, the legislation does not provide a registration or licensing process for these money-involved games.

Only two categories remain eligible for registration: e-sports and online social games. E-sports are explicitly exempt from the prohibition and are expected to receive government support. Online social games, which do not involve monetary stakes but may charge a one-time access fee, are permitted for entertainment, recreation, or skill development. Despite expectations that these two categories would seek registration, none have done so to date.

The current framework represents a significant shift from previous rules established in 2021, which relied on industry self-regulatory bodies. The new law imposes a complete ban on money games and establishes a central authority to oversee permitted activities. Legal challenges have been filed against the Act in various high courts, adding further uncertainty to the future of the registration regime.