India’s online gaming crackdown has begun even before the new law takes effect, with the Centre invoking the Information Technology (IT) Act to direct real-money apps off app stores.
What's happening?
A notice reviewed by Moneycontrol shows that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through its Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), directed platforms on August 29 to remove six real-money gaming apps from app stores.
Why was the action taken under the IT Act?
Although Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, on August 22, the law is still not operational. The rules needed to enforce it are under formulation. Until then, the government is relying on existing provisions of the IT Act.
Which provisions were used?
The notice invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, which require intermediaries to act against unlawful content once notified by the government. It also cited provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
What did the notice say?
The I4C said the apps — which included card games and slot-style platforms — were being “misused to carry out financial scams” and directed platforms to remove them within 36 hours.
What does the new law propose?
The new law bans real-money games, introduces strict penalties, and establishes a central authority to regulate online gaming.
Offering or advertising money games can attract up to three years in jail or fines of up to Rs 1 crore. At the same time, the government plans to promote e-sports and social gaming formats.
What will the rules cover?
The rules, currently being drafted, will lay down how the law is enforced — including the structure of the proposed online gaming authority, procedures for classifying games as money games or otherwise, compliance obligations for platforms, and more. Until these are notified, the law cannot be implemented.
Why does this matter?
The stopgap use of the IT Act highlights the urgency with which the government is trying to curb the spread of real-money games, even before the sector-specific law takes effect.
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