Online Gaming Law in India: What Applies Now
Since 1 May 2026, India's Online Gaming Act bans online money games, whether based on skill or chance. Here is what it prohibits, the penalties, and what it means for the apps on this site.
Last checked: 5 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.
India: the Online Gaming Act, 2025
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (Act 32 of 2025) came into force across India on 1 May 2026. It prohibits online money games: games played by paying fees or depositing money or other stakes in the expectation of winning money or other rewards. The ban applies whether the game is based on skill, chance, or both, so the older “rummy is a game of skill” distinction no longer makes a real-money rummy app lawful.
What the Act prohibits
- Offering online money games (Section 5): no one may offer, aid, abet, or induce the offering of an online money game or online money gaming service.
- Advertising them (Section 6): no one may make or cause to be made any advertisement, in any media, that directly or indirectly promotes online money games.
- Processing payments for them (Section 7): banks, financial institutions, and payment providers may not facilitate transactions towards online money gaming services.
Penalties
Section 9 sets penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹1 crore, or both, for offering online money games or facilitating payments for them, and up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both, for advertising them.
What stays allowed
The Act separately recognises and promotes e-sports and online social games that are played without money stakes. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 set up the Online Gaming Authority of India, which classifies games and can direct banks to block payments to online money games.
A pending court challenge
The Act’s constitutional validity has been challenged before the Supreme Court of India. Until the Court rules, the Act is in force as written. Check the case status before relying on any summary, including this one.
What this means for the apps on this site
Most platforms covered on AllYonoEarn are rummy, slots, and bingo apps that take deposits and pay cash winnings. Where an app works that way, it is an online money game under the Act, whatever mix of skill and chance it involves. Our platform guides describe these apps and their APK files for identification and safety checks only. They are not an endorsement or an invitation to play for money.
Age and Restricted Users
This information is intended for adults. People below the applicable legal age, self-excluded users, and users in restricted locations must not take part in prohibited gaming activity.
Outside India
Laws, age limits, and game classifications differ between countries. Do not assume that being able to open a website or app means using it is lawful where you live.
Sources
- Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (India Code, official text)
- Act text as published by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (PDF)
- Press Information Bureau: A New Era of Online Gaming Governance
- Supreme Court Observer: challenge to the Act
Not Legal Advice
This page summarises public sources in general terms. Consult a qualified lawyer when a decision needs legal certainty.
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