New Delhi: India’s gaming and esports ecosystem has hailed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) Draft for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025 as a transformative framework that could pave the way for structured growth, investor confidence, and wider social legitimacy for the industry.
The draft rules propose the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) to oversee classification of online games, registration of e-sports and social games, compliance monitoring, and grievance redressal. Recognition and promotion of esports would fall under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aligning competitive gaming more closely with India’s sports governance ecosystem.
Under the proposed framework, all esports titles will need recognition under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, before being registered by the Authority. The OGAI will also maintain a national registry of approved social games and esports, determine whether a game qualifies as an “online money game,” and issue five-year renewable registration certificates to providers.
Industry leaders have broadly welcomed the draft, highlighting the clarity, legitimacy, and potential for long-term growth it offers.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said the recognition of esports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports legitimises it as a mainstream sport and opens opportunities for grassroots and state-level competitions.
“By bringing esports firmly under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the government has recognised esports as a legitimate sport while creating a framework for structured growth,” Rathee said. “This should accelerate grassroots programs, open the door for state and district-level championships, and ensure players see a clear career pathway much like traditional sports. It also boosts investor and sponsor confidence, which is critical to scaling prize pools, infrastructure, and IP development.”
He, however, underscored the need for impartiality and expertise in the composition of the OGAI, stressing that stakeholders with deep industry knowledge must be included in decision-making.
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, termed the move a “landmark moment” for Indian esports. He pointed out that the recognition and clear distinction between esports, social games, and money games will enhance societal acceptance, ease parental concerns, and unlock new opportunities for talent and brands.
“This distinction is important as it opens the door to greater societal and parental acceptance, encouraging new talent to pursue esports with the same dignity as cricket, football or badminton,” Agarwal said. “It also reassures brands and investors that they are entering a structured, regulated ecosystem. This clarity is set to attract more brands and partners, unlocking larger sponsorships, creator collaborations, and grassroots programs.”
Vishal Parekh, COO of CyberPowerPC India, noted that the government’s recognition of the sector is a powerful signal of its economic and cultural importance. He said the OGAI would be crucial in providing clarity and a transparent registration process, enabling developers and service providers to operate with greater confidence.
“Beyond registration, building a robust ecosystem, including dedicated infrastructure, training academies, recognition of players as athletes, and supportive policies, will unlock significant opportunities across jobs, startups, content creation, broadcasting, and global tournaments,” Parekh said. “With the right balance of creativity, compliance, and economic vision, India can emerge as a global hub for competitive gaming and innovation.”
The draft rules are currently open for stakeholder feedback. Once finalized, they are expected to shape India’s esports and online gaming sector into a more structured, regulated, and globally competitive industry.
