When Will the Online Gaming Act's Rules Take Effect?
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Synopsis
On October 1, the new rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2025 will change the landscape of online gaming in India. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasizes a consultative process with stakeholders, ensuring a smooth transition. Find out what this means for the future of online gaming in the country!
Key Takeaways
- The Online Gaming Act, 2025 will come into effect on October 1.
- The Act prohibits online real-money gaming in India.
- A consultative approach is being adopted by the government with industry stakeholders.
- Final consultations will take place before implementation.
- India AI Mission aims to bolster AI capabilities across the nation.
New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) The Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday that the regulations under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2025, will come into force on October 1.
Following the Parliament's approval of the bill, the government has resumed discussions with various stakeholders, including banks, gaming companies, and other relevant organizations, according to the Minister.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the government has engaged in dialogue with industry representatives for nearly three years. He assured that the government is open to extending the timeline if the industry requests it, and he mentioned that final consultations will occur before the rules are implemented.
"Our government believes in a highly consultative approach for nearly all our actions," he remarked.
The act, which was officially notified on August 22, prohibits online real-money gaming in India, classifying them as either skill or chance games.
It has now become illegal to offer or participate in such games, with no possibility of bail.
This marks a significant change from earlier regulations, which were largely shaped by state laws and judicial decisions that differentiated skill-based games from gambling. The legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20 and was passed within two days.
Earlier that Thursday, the Minister, during a pre-event for the AI Impact Summit 2026, revealed plans to establish over 500 data labs across the country as part of the 'India AI Mission' to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) talent and infrastructure.
He noted that this initiative is part of the broader IndiaAI mission, with eight new companies, including Tech Mahindra, Fractal Analytics, and the IIT Bombay consortium Bharatgen, selected to develop large language models (LLMs).
Under the IndiaAI mission, the government has allocated Rs 988.6 crore to an IIT Bombay-led consortium to create a 1 trillion parameter LLM. In these models, internal variables that extract linguistic relations and patterns from training data are termed parameters.
The IndiaAI Mission is the government's initiative to cultivate autonomous AI capabilities through sector-specific AI applications, sovereign LLMs, GPUs, and capacity projects. Earlier this year, an approval of Rs 10,300 crore was granted for this purpose.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize that the new Online Gaming Act represents a significant shift in regulatory frameworks. While the intention is to protect consumers and curb illicit gaming, the government must balance regulation with innovation to ensure the industry thrives. A consultative approach is commendable, yet the real challenge lies in execution.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Online Gaming Act?
The Online Gaming Act is a legislation that regulates online gaming activities in India, categorizing real-money games as illegal.
When will the new rules take effect?
The new rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2025 will take effect on October 1.
What changes does the Act bring?
The Act prohibits all online real-money gaming, regardless of whether they are classified as skill or chance games.
What is the government's stance on stakeholder consultation?
The government emphasizes a consultative process with stakeholders and is open to extending timelines if necessary.
What is the India AI Mission?
The India AI Mission aims to enhance AI talent and infrastructure across India, with initiatives like establishing data labs and developing large language models.
