Online Gaming Act to Be Notified Soon: IT Secretary

New Delhi – The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was passed by Parliament and has received Presidential assent, will be notified shortly, Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan said on Monday.

Speaking at an ICEA event on semiconductors, Krishnan confirmed that all steps are being taken to bring the new law into effect without delay.

The Bill, introduced by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the Monsoon Session and cleared by both Houses, aims to both regulate and promote online gaming. While it imposes a complete ban on offering, operating, facilitating, promoting, advertising, or participating in online money games, it seeks to encourage social, educational, and esports-based gaming.

Under the Act, an “e-sport” is defined as a competitive online game, played in organised multi-sport events, involving teams or individuals in multiplayer formats governed by fixed rules. These competitions are recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Following the legislation, online money gaming platforms such as Dream11, Pokerbazi, and Rummy Circle have already discontinued their money gaming contests.

Highlighting India’s progress in semiconductors, Krishnan added that the nation’s first commercial chip, developed domestically, is scheduled for rollout this year.

Last week, Minister Vaishnaw reiterated the government’s goal of building global-scale capabilities in electronics manufacturing. He said India will soon be producing every key component used in mobile devices — from chips to cover glass, laptops, and servers — positioning itself as a global hub.

At the launch of India’s first tempered glass manufacturing facility for mobile devices in Noida, the Minister noted that the country’s electronics manufacturing sector has grown sixfold in the last 11 years, now valued at ?11.5 lakh crore, with exports exceeding ?3 lakh crore and generating 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

He stressed that value addition within the ecosystem is steadily increasing, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion.

The new tempered glass facility has been set up through a partnership between US-based Corning Incorporated and Optiemus Electronics, and will produce premium tempered glass under the “Engineered by Corning” brand.

With inputs from IANS