Quick Read
Summary is AI Generated. Newsroom Reviewed
-
The Ministry of Electronics and IT released draft rules under the PROG Act, 2025, on Oct 2
-
Public feedback on the draft rules is invited until October 31, 2024
-
The PROG Act criminalises all online money gaming activities passed by Parliament in August
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Thursday, Oct. 2, released the draft rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, inviting public feedback until Oct. 31. The move marks another step in operationalising the Act, which was passed by the Parliament in August this year, effectively criminalising all online money gaming activities.
The draft rules lay out procedures for recognising, registering and categorising online games, setting up grievance redressal systems for players, and enabling the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India, which will oversee regulation and enforcement. Crucially, the rules propose stringent penalties for illegal "online money games."
Offering such games could attract imprisonment of up to three years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore. Repeat offences carry harsher punishments, including longer jail terms and higher penalties. Advertisements and fund transfers linked to such prohibited games are also banned.
The PROG Act and the accompanying rules seek to strike a balance between promoting innovation in safe segments such as e-sports and educational/social games, while shielding consumers, especially young and vulnerable users, from the risks of gambling-style money gaming. Stakeholders can email their comments to ogrules.consultation@meity.gov.in by October 31.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Microsoft Suffers Cloud Outage Days After Amazon Incident
Online Gaming Act Framework Likely To Be Ready By Mid-November
CSIR UGC NET December 2025: Last Call! Registration Window Closes Today, Apply At csirnet.nta.nic.in
IRCTC Ticket Booking Major Rule Change From Oct. 1: How Does 15-Min Ticket Window Work?
POPULAR