‘Govt open to amendments in Online Gaming Act’, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tells stakeholders

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday assured stakeholders from India’s on-line gaming ecosystem that the federal government is dedicated to selling esports and social video games, even when amendments are required within the not too long ago handed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA).

At a stakeholder assembly held in Rail Bhawan on Monday, Vaishnaw sought to handle mounting considerations from the video gaming and esports trade over the scope and readability of the brand new legislation. “We want to promote esports and social games prominently, and if there is confusion in clarity and definitions, we will help and support you to resolve your concerns. If need be, we will bring amendments to the new law,” the minister stated.

The Act at present defines three classes—banned on-line cash video games, on-line skill-based video games (OSGs), and esports—however doesn’t make clear how new or hybrid codecs exterior these classes shall be handled. This ambiguity has raised considerations amongst indie studios, traders, and community-driven gaming fashions that danger being left in regulatory limbo.

Video gaming trade urged policymakers to make sure the legislation doesn’t morph into purple tape. “Clear and consistent definitions will create a strong regulatory foundation that ensures investor confidence, long-term stability, and sustainable growth,” one govt stated, warning that heavy compliance necessities might stifle small and mid-sized video gaming corporations.

The All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF) has suggested members to organize for compliance however has additionally pressed for early consultations to handle these ambiguities.

For on-line actual cash gaming trade, Vaishnaw emphasised that safeguarding participant funds stays a high authorities precedence. He assured that the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) will difficulty FAQs and steerage for a clean transition, significantly for customers withdrawing balances from affected platforms.

Online cash gaming trade associations flagged considerations over offshore betting and playing operators that proceed to promote in India regardless of the home ban on real-money video games. Gaming our bodies additionally pressed for sensitization of banks to distinguish between banned real-money video games and bonafide esports or informal social gaming platforms.

The authorities has already held parallel conferences with banks and fee corporations on Friday, together with Razorpay, PhonePe, Stripe, RBL Bank, and Yes Bank, attended by the RBI’s Deputy Governor. Discussions targeted on designing operational guidelines for fee channels to obviously distinguish between permissible and prohibited video games.

The assembly, which started at 3 p.m., noticed participation from key stakeholders together with the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), E Gamers and Players Welfare Association (EPWA), Esports Federation of India, and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS). EPWA founder Shivani Jha highlighted the pressing want for mechanisms to safeguard person balances, noting that many gamers stay unable to withdraw funds following current shutdowns.

Even as consultations progress, the legislation is already dealing with authorized scrutiny. On Saturday, the Karnataka High Court heard a petition filed by Head Digital Works, mum or dad firm of A23, difficult the constitutionality of PROGA. The Centre has been directed to submit its response by September 8.

Despite criticism of extreme authorities management, Vaishnaw reiterated the Centre’s intent to make India a world chief in esports whereas maintaining playing and real-money gaming platforms firmly out of bounds. “The government will hold more consultation meetings before full implementation of the law,” he assured.