Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI)
The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) has officially begun its role as the statutory sectoral regulator for online gaming, focusing on the registration of eSports entities and managing public grievances.
Key Initiatives and Responsibilities
- Registration of eSports Entities:
- An official portal for eSports entities to obtain digital registration certificates is now operational.
- Registration is mandatory for platforms branding their tournaments as eSports to comply with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
- The 10-year registration aims to protect developers from state-level gambling crackdowns.
- Grievance Redressal:
- Online gaming service providers must establish a grievance redressal mechanism.
- Users can file complaints with the authority if they remain unresolved within 30 days, and the authority has an additional 30 days to address appeals.
- Certification and Compliance:
- Applicants for eSports registration must also obtain certification from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- Efforts are being made to ensure that real money games do not disguise themselves as eSports.
- Public Trust and Regulation:
- The authority has the power to determine whether a game qualifies as a money game, either through complaints or on its own initiative.
Structure and Governance
- The OGAI is led by the Additional Secretary of MeitY as the chairperson.
- Joint secretaries from five ministries are members: Home Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Financial Services, and Department of Legal Affairs.
- A competition is underway to design the authority's logo.
Market Overview and Projections
- In 2024, the Indian online gaming market generated ₹23,200 crore in revenue, with 77% from transaction-based games.
- The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% to ₹31,600 crore by 2027.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, was passed to address issues like suicides and addiction linked to real money games, which were subsequently shut down.
