New Delhi, April 23, 2026: IT Secretary S. Krishnan on Wednesday said prediction market platforms have come under the government’s scrutiny as India prepares to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for the online gaming sector from May 1.
Apps such as Kalshi and Polymarket are being used by users to place bets on election outcomes, the IPL and other events, raising regulatory concerns.
Krishnan noted that while such platforms are banned under the Online Gaming Act, users continue to access them through virtual private networks (VPNs). “Access through VPNs is a slightly tricky issue and we are seeing how we can intervene,” he said, adding that distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate VPN usage remains a challenge.
He pointed out that if foreign platforms offer services in India, action can be taken under the law’s extra-territorial provisions. Such platforms may be blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The new regulatory framework, notified under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, aims to strike a balance between user protection and industry growth. It seeks to safeguard users—particularly children and vulnerable groups—from financial and psychological harm, while promoting India as a global hub for gaming and digital innovation.
Framed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 establish the operational structure for implementing the law, which was enacted by Parliament in August 2025 after extensive consultations.
A key feature of the framework is the creation of the Online Gaming Authority of India, a digital-first regulator tasked with overseeing classification, compliance, grievance redressal and enforcement.
The rules also introduce a structured mechanism to classify games as online money games, permissible social games or e-sports, bringing much-needed clarity to a rapidly expanding but loosely regulated sector.
