TLDR India now requires esports games to be assessed and registered with the Online Gaming Authority of India before use of that label. The rule comes from a written reply by Minister Jitin Prasada in the Lok Sabha on July 29. Esports must first be recognised under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, before registration can happen. Non-real-money social games are not automatically required to register, but the authority can still bring them into the process. The framework, active since May 1, separates esports, social games, and banned money games into distinct categories.
India has set a clear rule for companies that want to call their games esports. Each game must be checked and registered with the Online Gaming Authority of India first.
This applies before any provider can use the esports label. The rule adds another step to the country’s online gaming system.
That system already splits games into three groups. These are esports, online social games, and online money games, which are banned.
Separate Registration Now Required
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada gave the details. He answered a written question in the Lok Sabha on July 29.
His response was reported by Storyboard18. It explains rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026.
Under these rules, a company must apply for a determination. This happens if it wants to offer a game as an esport.
The Online Gaming Authority of India then reviews the application. It decides if the game fits as an esport, a social game, or a banned money game.
This means every game from every company needs its own review. There is no blanket approval for a whole platform or brand.
The rules also link esports to sports law. A game must first be