DH NEWS SERVICE
new delhi, Sept 18
The central government, with its “very consultative” approach, is all set to roll out the new rules governing online gaming from October 1, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. “We have had multiple discussions with them (online gaming companies and stakeholders), and after passing the law, once again, we engaged with them,” the minister said.
The government has also consulted banks and other stakeholders, Vaishnaw added while speaking at the pre-event ceremony of AI Impact Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The minister emphasised that the government’s approach remains “very consultative” and that another round of discussions will be held with the industry before implementation of the new laws. “In case we need some more time, we will definitely look at a more consultative approach. At present, the government is targeting October 1 for the rollout of the new legislation,” Vaishnaw said.
“We engaged with practically every stakeholder possible in this, and we have finalised the rules. The rules will be promulgated with effect from the first of October, and before that, we will have one more round of discussions with the industry. And in case we need more time, we will definitely consider a more consultative approach, which is our standard approach. Our government’s approach is very consultative on practically everything that we do,” the Union Minister added.
On August 22, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament. The Bill was brought in to encourage e-sports and online social games while prohibiting harmful online money gaming services, advertisements, and financial transactions related to them.
There will be no punishment for those playing online money games; it is only the service providers, advertisers, promoters, and those who financially support such games who will face the consequences, said sources earlier. Through this legislation, the government aims to promote e-sports and give them legal recognition. This bill will help provide legal support to e-sports.
The Act imposes a nationwide prohibition on online games played for stakes. It criminalises offering or participating in such games, whether classified as games of skill or chance, with offences being cognisable and non-bailable.
The Act seeks to prohibit “online money games” and the offering of bank services, advertisements, etc related thereto.
Meanwhile, Industry representatives have informed the government that they are taking steps to ensure compliance with the Act is observed.
Earlier, Vaishnaw termed online money games a ‘public health risk’.
Nearly 45 crore Indians were losing around Rs 20,000 crore every year to real-money online games, according to government estimates.
