India Softens Gaming Rules, Registration for Social Games Now Voluntary
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The Centre is set to notify the final rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, with key provisions eased to make the framework more industry-friendly.
Registration for online social games will be completely voluntary, a significant change from the October draft that suggested such games would need to register with the Online Gaming Authority of India to operate legally.
The move follows consultations with industry stakeholders, who had sought a simpler and less burdensome registration process.
Registration of e-sport games will, however, remain mandatory, as in the draft rules.
The framework continues to classify games into three categories — online social games, e-sports, and online money games.
The broader regulatory architecture remains largely unchanged, with the rules providing for the creation of an Online Gaming Authority of India, with powers akin to a civil court to conduct inquiries and summon individuals.
