Section 8 of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025: Establishment of an Authority.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025

Act 32 of 2025
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

About this Act

An Act to promote and regulate the online gaming sector including e-sports, educational games and social gaming; to provide for the appointment of an Authority for coordinated policy support, strategic development and regulatory oversight of the sector; to prohibit the offering, operation, facilitation, advertisement, promotion and participation in online money games through any computer resource, mobile device or the internet, particularly where such activities operate across State borders or from foreign jurisdictions; to protect individuals, especially youth and vulnerable populations, from the adverse social, economic, psychological and privacy-related impacts of such games; to ensure the responsible use of digital technologies; to maintain public order and protect public health; to safeguard the integrity of financial systems and the security and sovereignty of the State; to establish a uniform national level legal framework in the public interest; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

All sections

    (1) The Central Government may, by notification, constitute an Authority consisting of a Chairperson and such number of other Members or designate any existing Authority or Authorities or any agency to assist it in performing any of the functions under this Act.
    (2) The Central Government may vest the Authority or agency, as the case may be, with all or any of the following powers, namely:––
    (a) to determine, on the receipt of an application from any person offering an online game or on suo motu basis, whether a particular online game is an online money game or otherwise, after making such inquiry as it deems necessary;
    (b) to recognise, categorise and register online games in such manner as may be prescribed; and
    (c) such other powers and functions as may be prescribed.
    (3) Every person offering, organising or facilitating any online game shall comply with the directions, orders, guidelines or codes of practice issued by the Central Government or the Authority or agency in discharge of their functions under this Act.
    (4) The Central Government may prescribe the following, namely:––
    (a) composition and qualification for appointment of Chairperson and Members;
    (b) salary, allowances payable to them and their term of office;
    (c) disqualification for appointment and continuation as Chairperson and Members;
    (d) resignation by Members and filling of vacancy;
    (e) proceedings of the Authority;
    (f) officers and employees of the Authority;
    (g) powers to be exercised by the Chairperson;
    (h) handling of complaints and grievances related to online games including manner of inquiry; and
    (i) any other matter to further the objective of this Act.
    (5) The Authority or agency, as the case may be, may respond to the complaints relating to online games which are prejudicial to the interests of users, forwarded either in writing or in electronic mode.