The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 was enacted by Parliament in August 2025 to safeguard citizens from online money gaming while enabling e-sports and online social games. Acting under Section 19 of the Act, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has finalised the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, which come into force on 1 May 2026 after extensive inter-Ministerial consultation and legal vetting.
This article breaks down the operational architecture of the Rules — organised into 6 Parts and 26 Rules — covering the constitution and functions of the Online Gaming Authority of India, the test and timeline for determining whether a game is an online money game, the registration regime for e-sports and notified social games, mandatory user safety features, the two-tier grievance redressal and appellate mechanism, and the framework for penalties and enforcement. Whether you work in gaming compliance, technology law, policy or industry strategy, this guide offers a clear, rule-by-rule understanding of India’s new online gaming regulatory framework.
Mudita Learning and Knowledge Private Limited
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Date of post: 20.08.2026
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