Online Gaming Act To Be Enforced From October 1, Confirms Ashwini Vaishnaw

The central government will begin enforcing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act from October 1, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed on Thursday.

The Act, passed by Parliament in August and approved by the President soon after, bans all forms of online money games while promoting e-sports and non-monetary online gaming. The aim is to tackle growing concerns around addiction, financial fraud, and money laundering linked to real-money gaming apps.

Speaking at a press event ahead of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Vaishnaw said, “The rules will be promulgated with effect from October 1.”

He added that the government has held extensive consultations with the gaming industry, banks, and other stakeholders, both before and after the law

was passed.

“We have engaged with the industry, we have had multiple discussions with them, we have been having discussions with them for last almost three years. After passing the law, once again, we engaged with them, we also engaged with the banks and practically all stakeholders possible, and we have finalised the rules,” Vaishnaw said.

He also assured that the Centre would take a consultative approach, allowing time for the industry to adjust if needed.

“In case they need some more time, we will definitely look at a more consultative approach, which has been our approach on practically everything we do. But at this point of time, we are targeting that we start the implementation of new legislation from October 1,” he added.

According to government sources, one of the major concerns raised by gaming platforms was about how to return unused money still sitting in user accounts. The IT Ministry has now worked with banks to resolve the issue, the minister said.

With the Act now becoming law, real-money gaming platforms have already begun suspending services. Companies like Dream11, My11Circle, WinZO, Zupee, and PokerBaazi have stopped offering money-based games on their platforms.

(With inputs from PTI)