Indian Gaming Industry Welcomes New Regulatory Framework

Industry executives are voicing support for the Indian government's newly released draft regulations for online gaming, saying the framework addresses longstanding uncertainties about how competitive gaming and social platforms should be classified and overseen.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Saturday announcement has drawn particularly strong responses regarding provisions that would formally recognize esports as a sport and establish the Online Gaming Authority of India to oversee the sector.

Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director of NODWIN Gaming, said placing esports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports represents official recognition of competitive gaming as legitimate sport. He said the framework could enable grassroots programs and regional tournaments similar to traditional athletics.

"This should accelerate grassroots programs, open the door for state- and district-level championships, and ensure players see a clear career pathway much like traditional sports," Rathee said.

Esports Recognition Seen Boosting Industry Acceptance

Animesh Agarwal, co-founder and chief executive of S8UL, said the formal designation could shift public attitudes toward professional gaming. "This distinction is important as it opens the door to greater societal and parental acceptance, encouraging new talent to pursue esports with the same dignity as cricket, football or badminton," he said. "Esports in India is no longer just a trend. It's a legitimate career path."

Industry leaders say regulatory clarity could boost business confidence. Vishal Parekh, chief operating officer at CyberPowerPC India, said many games exist in ambiguous territory between skill-based competition and social entertainment. He said the proposed authority would help clarify jurisdictional questions, allowing developers to innovate with greater certainty.

Parth Chadha, co-founder and chief executive of STAN, said social gaming platforms would benefit from clear regulatory standards. "For Social Gaming platforms, these rules provide a much-needed regulatory certainty," Chadha said, adding that the framework could attract brand partnerships and advertising investment.

While industry response has been largely positive, executives emphasized that successful implementation would depend on the composition and expertise of the new regulatory body. Rathee said appointing personnel with genuine industry knowledge would be crucial to the authority's effectiveness.

The draft rules are now open for public feedback as the government seeks input before finalizing the regulatory framework.