India invites consultation on RMG prohibition draft bill

India invites consultation on RMG prohibition draft bill

Summary

India has established the Online Gaming Authority of India under the Electronics and IT Ministry (MeitY) to enforce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gambling Bill 2025, which bans the promotion of real-money games (RMG). MeitY has published a draft of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, which defines online money games and sets penalties for breaches. The draft clarifies that e-sports and online social games are excluded from the ban and assigns oversight of those areas to other ministries. Public consultation on the draft is open until 31 October 2025.

Key Points

1. MeitY has created the Online Gaming Authority of India to oversee enforcement of the RMG prohibition.
2. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gambling Bill 2025 outlaws promotion of real-money games due to social harm concerns.
3. The draft rules define online money games as stake-based play where users pay fees or stakes with an expectation of monetary gain.
4. Penalties for offering or advertising prohibited online money games include up to three years’ imprisonment and fines up to 10 million rupees (£83,743); penalties rise for repeat offenders.
5. E-sports and online social games are excluded from the ban and will be overseen by the Ministries of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting respectively.
6. Major operators, including domestic player Dream11 and international firms such as Flutter, have pulled RMG offerings; Mobile Premier League reportedly cut 60% of its local staff.
7. MeitY is inviting feedback on the draft rules until 31 October 2025 — a window for stakeholders to respond.

Context and Relevance

The change is driven by concerns over gambling addiction and financial losses. With an estimated 450 million Indians playing RMG annually and the industry projected to be worth $9.1bn by 2029, the ban and a new central regulator will significantly reshape the market. Expect impact on market access, jobs, investment flows and how international operators approach India.

Author style

Punchy: this isn’t a minor regulatory tweak — it’s a structural shift. A new authority, clear legal definitions and tough penalties mean firms need to reassess offerings, compliance and workforce plans now. If you have exposure to the Indian market, the detail here matters.

Why should I read this?

Short and useful — this tells you why the Indian gaming landscape is changing fast. New regulator, hardline penalties, big operators exiting and a consultation window you can still use. If you work in iGaming, payments, legal or regional strategy, this saves you time and flags where you need to act.

Source

Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/asia/india-appoints-regulator-enforce-rmg-ban/