The Indian government is working on creating a single, nationwide law for online gaming. Right now, different states have their own rules, which makes it confusing for gaming companies to operate smoothly. To fix this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a special panel that includes government officials, legal experts, and industry leaders. They’re discussing whether a new law is needed to clearly separate gaming from gambling—even though the Supreme Court has already made that distinction. This step shows that the government sees the massive potential of India’s growing gaming industry. More updates are expected as this story develops.
New Law May Soon Regulate Online Gaming and Betting
Due to rising concerns over fraud, misleading ads, and cybersecurity risks, the Indian government is considering a new central law to manage online gaming, betting, and gambling. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been asked to study the issue. Authorities are also looking closely at foreign betting platforms and celebrity endorsements that promote illegal sites. The goal of the proposed law is to protect users, secure their data, and keep the gaming space safer. While there’s no official timeline yet, changes may come soon.
ASCI and Gaming Groups Team Up to Tackle Illegal Betting Ads
To address the rise of offshore betting ads, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has teamed up with key gaming bodies like the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF). Starting January 2, 2025, they’ll launch a special unit to monitor and report illegal betting ads. This partnership will also ensure that real-money gaming (RMG) ads follow ASCI’s guidelines and promote responsible marketing.
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Tamil Nadu Sets Tough Rules for Real Money Gaming
Tamil Nadu has rolled out strict new rules for real-money gaming (RMG) platforms under the 2025 Online Gaming Authority Regulations. The rules ban minors from playing, require Aadhaar-based KYC checks, and set spending limits. Players will also see pop-up messages every 30 minutes warning about long play sessions and spending. Plus, there’s a “blank hours” rule that blocks access to RMG platforms between midnight and 5 AM. While the goal is to promote responsible gaming, experts worry these strict rules could be hard to enforce, especially since laws vary by state.
Finance Ministry to Discuss GST and Financial Risks in Online Gaming
The Finance Ministry is planning a meeting with real-money gaming (RMG) companies to talk about key issues like money laundering, taxes, and offshore betting sites. A major point of concern is the 28% GST on online gaming, which has hit the industry hard—shrinking expected job creation from 250,000 to just 30,000 and slowing foreign investment. Global experts from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will also join to share international best practices for fighting financial crimes in gaming. Discussions will focus on how to control illegal platforms and protect users.
Tamil Nadu Doubles Down on Gaming Regulations
Tamil Nadu has officially introduced tough rules for RMG platforms—banning underage users, requiring strict KYC with Aadhaar, setting spending caps, and showing addiction warnings. Gaming apps must also shut down between 12 AM and 5 AM. The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority will oversee these changes and issue licenses. While the aim is to prevent addiction and financial harm, critics say state-by-state rules could lead to confusion and call for a consistent national policy.
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Karnataka High Court Says Poker Is a Game of Skill
In a win for the gaming industry, the Karnataka High Court has ruled that poker is a game of skill, not gambling. This came after police filed a case against D.M. Gaming Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru for allegedly running illegal gambling activities. The court tossed out the case, saying poker doesn’t break any gambling laws. This ruling is expected to help other gaming businesses facing similar legal issues and could stop unnecessary police action against legitimate skill-based gaming companies.
