The Indian government has proposed strict new measures to regulate online money gaming, making violations a non-bailable offence under the draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025.
The draft rules, released this week, hold not only company directors but the entire staff liable if found facilitating illegal online money games or transactions.
Section 5 of the draft rules prohibits anyone from offering, aiding, abetting, or engaging in online money games and related services, while Section 7 prevents banks and financial intermediaries from processing payments linked to such platforms.
Notably, any breach can result in arrest without a warrant, and offences under these sections are declared cognizable and non-bailable, superseding prior criminal procedure norms.
The new rules also grant authorized officers the right to search both physical and digital premises and seize digital devices for investigation. Officers are legally protected from lawsuits arising from searches or arrests made during enforcement.
The draft rules aim to curb illegal gambling and promote legitimate e-sports and social gaming in India. The Ministry of Electronics and IT is inviting public feedback on the proposal until October 31, 2025, before finalizing the new regulatory framework.
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