Monday, March 23, 2026
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StarLadder Budapest Major Stickers Are Now 75% Off

Valve kicked off the highly-anticipated 75% price drop for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 sticker capsules in Counter-Strike 2, pushing them down from $0.99 to $0.25 more than a month after Team Vitality’s win. The move, buried within the Season 4 update of CS2, encompasses team logos and player autographs from Contenders, Challengers, Legends, and the Champions Autographs featuring Vitality’s stars.

The StarLadder Budapest Major ran from November 24 to December 14, 2025, at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark and MVM Dome, drawing 32 teams for a $1.25 million prize pool. Vitality cruised past FaZe Clan 3-1 in the first best-of-five Major grand final of their lives (Nuke 6-13, Dust2 13-3, Inferno 13-9, Overpass 13-2), securing their second title of 2025 with ZywOo earning MVP honors. The event peaked at 1.5 million viewers, capping a historic season for the French squad.

In addition, there are borders with embroidery that are a first in a CS2 event. These are accompanied by non-committal displays, “Sticker Slabs.” The capsules contain Vitality’s “Champions” stickers, as well as autograph stickers like ZywOo’s “Holo.” The prices are also conducive to collecting, being lower than those of the Majors experienced in the past.

Capsules can be obtained through the in-game menu “Major Championship Hub and Items” with Steam Wallet money. Old players can wait for their packs to accumulate future worth in unopened capsules or even apply valuable capsules to weapons until the sale ends forever.

This discount creates hype for the memorabilia sold during the event, thereby providing a boost for revenue share for orgs such as Vitality in the thriving CS2 economic bubble. Fans went on a buying spree after the announcement, pushing up the trading volumes.

Valve Releases Another CS2 Update Day After Season 4 Patch

Valve has released its latest update after chaos ensued following a massive wave of false VAC Bans where clean players had their accounts subjected to a ban from the game.

Containing a plethora of minor changes, the update was the highlight of the patch notes by a mile, and what complements it are the three bugs players were facing when playing the freshly updated Anubis, which is now a part of the map pool.

The fact that Valve admitted they falsely banned players counts as a big win for players who were sad to have lost their accounts despite playing clean. Cheating is a prevalent problem, but Valve putting effort into aggressively banning would result in nothing but a few false positives, and one may argue that unbanning would also let loose a few cheaters.

Given that Valve treats this as a lesson, the developers of the anti-cheat will take a better look at how they confirm whether a player is cheating, and as many have argued, Overwatch must be brought back, as it played a big role in identifying incidents of obvious cheating.

Valve’s fight against cheaters is not new, and the problem remains prevalent even after the release of CS2 put their credibility into question, as games like Valorant have solved this with a hardware-level anti-cheat, while 3rd party platforms like Faceit have a more reliable anti-cheat system, making the platform more enjoyable.

https://twitter.com/counterstrike/status/2014475967805468946

CS2 January 23, 2026 Update Patch Notes

[ GAMEPLAY ]

  • Landing vertical velocity now affects landing speed penalties similar to sv_legacy_jump stamina.

[ MISC ]

  • Fixed an issue that led to a small number of users to erroneously receive a VAC ban. Those bans have been reversed.
  • Fixed a case where HUD safezone settings were not being applied.
  • Various server stability improvements.

[ MAPS ]

Anubis

  • Fixed a case where physics objects would interact with multiple overlapping convex water volumes.
  • Various player clipping adjustments.
  • Radar minimap updated to match recent changes.

CS2 Update Unbans Falsely VAC Banned Players

CS2 players who were subjected to false VAC bans after yesterday’s VAC wave are getting unbanned as Valve has officially announced it in its latest patch. We are unsure what triggered the wave of false bans, but based on reports, players are getting their accounts back.

The Counter-Strike 2 community was taken by storm after players were hit with a massive wave of false Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) bans following the latest update, which led to outrage on social media platforms. While Valve did not officially announce this, given the attention it garnered on social media, it is hard to imagine this flying by them.

Throughout Reddit and X, players and notable voices are claiming that the wave caught a few clean players, but Valve is lifting said bans as we publish this article. Whether all clean players have gotten their ban lifted is unclear; on the contrary, we cannot say for sure if any cheaters got their accounts back amidst this massive unban wave.

False bans are generally not a thing for Valve, given that the cheating problem has never been eradicated from the game completely, and fans have called them out for their lenient approach, which is why this incident surprised the community.

Players who were falsely banned and unbanned in the latest wave have received a message: “We apologise, it looks like we made a mistake and have removed this false ban”, which goes to show that, despite the absence of an official statement, Valve is confirming that this was a mistake on their part.

Cheating remains a prevalent issue even after several enhancements made with the anti-cheat, which forces players to opt for platforms like Faceit, given that Premier or Competitive game modes are riddled with cheaters, and facing cheaters demotivates players from playing it further.

BGMI Lite Launch Soon? Krafton Survey Sparks Fresh Speculation in India

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has been India’s most popular battle royale game since its launch in 2021. However, with every major update, the game has become heavier and more demanding on devices. Many players using low-end smartphones now struggle with lag, heating, and low FPS. On January 23, 2026, Krafton India conducted an in-game survey that caught everyone’s attention. One key question stood out clearly: “Do You Want BGMI Lite?” This has sparked fresh speculation about a possible BGMI Lite launch in India.

Krafton’s BGMI Survey Hints at BGMI Lite Possibility

On 23 January 2026, Krafton India rolled out a detailed player feedback survey inside BGMI. While the survey focused on improving overall gameplay experience, several questions strongly hinted at the idea of BGMI Lite, a lighter version of the game designed for low-end devices.

India is a mobile-first gaming market, where a large portion of players still use budget smartphones. Unlike flagship devices, these phones often struggle to run BGMI smoothly due to heavy graphics, large updates, and complex theme modes. The survey suggests that Krafton is finally acknowledging this issue.

Performance Issues on Low-End Devices Highlight the Need for Lite Version

The survey asked players about common problems they face while playing BGMI. Many options were directly linked to device performance, such as Low FPS on mobile devices, device heating, lag and disconnection, battery drain, touchscreen sensitivity issues, no space left on the phone, and more.

These problems are especially common among low-end and older devices, strengthening the case for a Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite version that focuses on smooth gameplay over heavy visuals.

Krafton also asked players what they do not like about BGMI. Some key responses included bugs and glitches, server issues, cheaters, low-quality in-game rewards, large storage size, and some modes.

For Lite players, storage space and smooth performance matter more than flashy skins, making BGMI Lite a practical solution.

“Do You Want BGMI LITE?” The Question That Changed Everything

The most important part of the survey was a direct question: “Do You Want BGMI LITE?”

Players were given three options:

  • Want it very much due to bad device
  • It’s good to have but not needed
  • I don’t need BGMI Lite

This clearly shows that Krafton is actively measuring demand for BGMI Lite in India, something players have been requesting for years.

Krafton didn’t stop there. The survey also asked what features players would like in Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite. Some notable options included:

  • 20-player small maps
  • Fast reload with no attachments
  • Temporary walls for protection
  • Auto aim and auto fire
  • Buy special powers for guns
  • Buy special powers for characters

These features suggest a faster, more casual, and device-friendly version of BGMI, similar to what PUBG Mobile Lite once offered.

Read More: PUBG Lite Download Latest Version 0.28.0 Available? Check Here

Ads, Pricing, and Monetisation in Lite Version

Interestingly, Krafton also asked players about ads in Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite and how much they would be willing to pay to remove them. Options ranged from watching ads for free gameplay to paying monthly subscriptions.

This indicates that BGMI Lite could follow an ad-supported model, making it accessible for a wider audience while still generating revenue.

Is BGMI Lite Confirmed? Here’s the Reality

As of now, Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite is NOT officially announced. The survey alone does not confirm its launch. However, the depth and detail of Lite-related questions strongly suggest that Krafton is seriously evaluating the idea.

Players can still fill out the survey directly inside the game. The more feedback Krafton receives, the higher the chances of seeing Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite become a reality.

BGMI Lite has been one of the most demanded features by Indian gamers for a long time. With this new survey, it looks like Krafton is finally listening. While no official announcement has been made yet, the signs are promising. If launched, Battlegrounds Mobile India Lite could bring millions of low-end device users back into the game and reshape India’s mobile gaming scene.

BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Week 2 Day 3: Match Timings, Teams, Maps, Streaming, and More

The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 (BGIS 2026) THE GRIND Week 2 Day 3 is here. A total of six matches will be played on Friday, January 23 across Erangel, Miramar, and Rondo. Group C and Group D will compete in their Match 19, 20, and 21 today as teams battle to secure their position in the overall standings and determine their path in the BGIS 2026 Main Event. Check out the BGIS THE GRIND Week 2 Day 3 schedule, teams, format, where to watch, and more.

BGIS 2026 THE GRIND Week 2 Day 3: Schedule and Teams

MatchMapGroupDateTime IST
Match 19RondoGroup C23 Jan3:00 PM
Match 20ErangelGroup C23 Jan3:50 PM
Match 21ErangelGroup C23 Jan4:40 PM
Match 19ErangelGroup D23 Jan5:30 PM
Match 20MiramarGroup D23 Jan6:20 PM
Match 21MiramarGroup D23 Jan7:10 PM

On Week 2 Day 3, Group C and Group D will continue competing:

Group C:

  • GLITCHxREBORN
  • Gods for Reason
  • Team Altitude
  • Eggy Gaming
  • Oishani Esports
  • Jux Esports
  • 4 Wolf x DOD
  • Aura Esports
  • Vasista Esports
  • iQOO Revenant Xspark
  • MEDAL ESPORTS
  • Troy Tamilan eSports
  • FS ESPORTS
  • Learn From Past
  • Team versatile
  • RIDER ESPORT

Group D:

  • EvEx2oP OFFICIAL
  • Esport Social
  • Likitha Esports
  • White Walkers
  • Rivalry Esports
  • Gravity Esports
  • Los Hermanos
  • BotArmyEsports
  • Team Insane Esports
  • Mysterious4xNaqsh Esports
  • Phoenix Esports
  • GENxFM ESPORTS
  • EVOLUTION MIZORAM
  • META NINZA
  • Team Alpha
  • Shadow Blitz

The BGIS 2026 THE GRIND features 64 invited teams divided into 4 groups with 16 squads in each group. Each group will play 24 matches in their respective weeks. Today marks a crucial day in Week 2 action as both groups approach the final stretch of their qualification stage that runs from January 17 to February 1, 2026.

The stakes are high for both Group C and Group D teams. The top 8 teams from each group will qualify for BGIS 2026: Round 3, while the bottom 8 teams will move to BGIS 2026: Round 2. All 64 teams based on the overall standings will seed to the BGIS 2026 Main Event, making every match crucial for placement.

Where to watch BGIS 2026 THE GRIND?

Fans can enjoy all matches of the BGIS 2026 THE GRIND on the official YouTube channel of Krafton India Esports in Hindi and English.

BGMI Redeem Codes Today (23 January 2026): Unlock Casual Stroll Set and In-Game Rewards

KRAFTON India has rolled out a fresh set of BGMI redeem codes, allowing players to unlock the Casual Stroll Set along with additional in-game rewards. The release forms part of BGMI’s continuing reward campaign, giving players another opportunity to claim exclusive items through official channels. Check out the BGMI redeem codes.

BGMI Redeem Codes Today (23 January 2026): KRAFTON India Unveils Casual Stroll Set and In-Game Rewards

Redeem codes are valid until 28th February 2026 and can be redeemed only on BGMI’s official website.

Redeem Codes:

  • IAZCZRCKFPCK8CSS
  • IAZDZWGBX3DCGC3K
  • IAZEZWVEMJ4XCNKX
  • IAZFZHUJRJN7HSQ6
  • IAZGZ89TE4PHPXGG
  • IAZHZ4MD9PPV3DER
  • IAZIZDBUTRRT47UR
  • IAZJZCT6PCHS8FA8
  • IAZKZ96W6RU7UN3U
  • IAZLZ647HSPTGQA9
  • IAZMZ6F7R955P939
  • IAZNZWEV4HXNQUFT
  • IAZOZ6UAT7U6958K
  • IAZPZBRF96A3CCP3
  • IAZQZBPNX4HS46UU
  • IAZRZMVV7C95XQ9S
  • IAZVZ3C5SWK4EFXH
  • IAZTZQ9KK6XCH993
  • IAZUZPRVMQ36JUCX
  • IAZBAZBANRDGXSQN
  • IAZBBZG45XXXQCCQ
  • IAZBCZSJ4WGS9DNP
  • IAZBDZDXUPTGWDV3
  • IAZBEZKR84JKE49K
  • IAZBFZ7RT89J6G7G
  • IAZBGZC7E9GUEN66
  • IAZBHZXC7X8HNCQT
  • IAZBIZG5W8CWV8E7
  • IAZBJZ46CK6XHN3Q
  • IAZBKZMNFV66FJSQ
  • IAZBLZD4FQ6HVBP7
  • IAZBMZAE3WMP6V3U
  • IAZBNZSXVES7UGPR
  • IAZBOZEGUE3PWXKV
  • IAZBPZDX58KBGRC8
  • IAZBQZAPHPA4MSTD
  • IAZBRZB4PEVFCE3P
  • IAZBVZ3J3F5USNVK
  • IAZBTZBKAFSRUJTE
  • IAZBUZ8VVWE9HVHX
  • IAZCAZ8SSRQD4BXU
  • IAZCBZBAHKKGNMCF
  • IAZCCZ7R7K9PUUDC
  • IAZCDZDEW9BCCBCD
  • IAZCEZ6UWD4V54B3
  • IAZCFZKPRXR3JW9N
  • IAZCGZ8NKAWVDH8H
  • IAZCHZKNR6UMHFJE
  • IAZCIZQNW43599GK
  • IAZCJZ63WBV8FJX9
  • IAZCKZWW635EGKKV
  • IAZCLZBHXPXJEPSQ
  • IAZCMZHKBWQEV56Q
  • IAZCNZM5JARN8VAH
  • IAZCOZWDHC6PFDX8
  • IAZCPZ4CS7UG8H44
  • IAZCQZFVTRVVKGGB
  • IAZCRZE9HHDKP49F
  • IAZCVZQTJFDFFA8U

Read More: KRAFTON Strengthens New Game Development Pipeline to Drive Long-Term Growth in Core Gaming

Steps to redeem

Players can follow these simple steps to claim their rewards:

  • Step 1: Go to the Redeem section on BGMI’s official website www.battlegroundsmobileindia.com/redeem
  • Step 2: Enter your Character ID
  • Step 3: Enter the Redemption Code
  • Step 4: Enter the verification/ Captcha code → A message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”
  • Step 5: The reward will be delivered via in-game mail

Rules to Remember:

  • A maximum of 10 users can redeem each code on a first-come first served basis
  • A user cannot redeem a code twice
  • Users must claim their rewards via in-game mail within 7 days or the mail will expire
  • If a player is among the first 10 users to redeem the code, a message will confirm “Code redeemed successfully”. Otherwise, users will see “Code expired” or a similar message
  • Each user account can redeem only one code per day
  • Redeem codes cannot be used via guest accounts
  • Rewards must be claimed within 30 days from receiving the in-game mail
    For the latest updates, follow BGMI’s official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages.

What Are BGMI Redeem Codes?

BGMI redeem codes are special codes that give you free rewards in the game. KRAFTON shares these codes, and you can use them to get free skins, outfits, gun upgrades and other items. You don’t need to spend any money. You just enter the code on the BGMI redeem website, and the reward comes to your in-game mail. It is an easy and free way to get new items in BGMI.

India Set to Roll Out Online Gaming Rules Within 15 Days

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Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the government will publish comprehensive gaming rules within 15 days, bringing regulatory clarity to India’s online gaming industry. This announcement marks a critical milestone for operationalizing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), enacted in August 2025, which has kept India’s $3.5 billion gaming sector in regulatory limbo for five months.

Minister Vaishnaw Confirms Rules After Extensive Stakeholder Consultation

Minister Vaishnaw confirmed to Moneycontrol at the World Economic Forum on January 22, 2026, that authorities have finalized the rules after extensive stakeholder consultation. “The way our constitutional structure is, the moment a law is passed by Parliament, the substantive part takes effect. The operative part comes through the rules. They are ready and should be published within an outer limit of 15 days,” he stated. Further, the minister emphasized that the framework resulted from consultations with the gaming industry, financial sector, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies.

Understanding the Online Gaming Act That Banned Real-Money Games

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act passed through Parliament in August 2025 with unprecedented speed, moving from cabinet approval to presidential assent in just four days. The legislation prohibits online money games where users make deposits with the expectation of earning winnings, regardless of whether games are skill-based or chance-based. This ban applies to popular platforms including poker, rummy, and fantasy sports that previously operated on real-money deposits.

The Act grants the government sweeping enforcement powers to ban such games while prescribing criminal penalties against operators, advertisers, and financial intermediaries that enable these platforms. Violations can result in imprisonment up to three years and fines reaching ₹1 crore ($115,000), while advertising violations attract penalties up to two years imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fines.

Key Provisions: Gaming Authority, Registration System, and Enforcement Powers

The draft rules released in October 2025 outline the operational framework. Key provisions include:

  • Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI): A MeitY-led regulatory body headed by an Additional Secretary-rank official with five ex officio members from various ministries
  • Digital registration system: Mandatory registration for e-sports and voluntary registration for online social games, with 90-day processing timelines
  • Game classification mechanism: Procedures for determining whether games qualify as prohibited “online money games” or permissible e-sports and social games
  • Enforcement protocols: Authority powers to cancel registrations, issue cease-and-desist orders, and initiate legal action against violators
  • Grievance redressal: Complaint resolution mechanisms with 90-day timelines

How the Gaming Ban Affected 200,000 Jobs and 1,900 Startups

The law triggered immediate disruption across India’s real-money gaming sector. Over 200,000 jobs were affected as approximately 1,900 gaming startups shut down operations following the ban. Major platforms like Dream11, WinZo, and My11Circle faced operational restrictions, while global investors withdrew from the sector amid regulatory uncertainty.

The government imposed a 40% GST on gaming deposits, treating the sector as a “sin good” similar to tobacco and alcohol. Additionally, the government prohibited financial institutions from processing transactions for real-money games. Industry experts warn the ban may push gaming activity to unregulated offshore platforms and black markets.

Supreme Court Challenge and Timeline for Implementation

Once published, the rules will activate PROGA’s full regulatory framework, ending the five-month notification limbo. The Online Gaming Authority of India will begin processing registrations and classifications for permissible games. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is all set to hear constitutional challenges to PROGA, with petitions arguing the law’s blanket ban on skill-based games violates fundamental rights.

The government maintains the legislation protects citizens from addiction, financial ruin, and fraud while promoting legitimate e-sports and educational gaming. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized during the bill’s passage that “when it comes to society and government revenue, our Prime Minister has always chosen society”. Furthermore, the rules’ publication will determine whether India’s gaming industry can pivot to compliant models or faces prolonged shutdown.

CS2 Adds Workshop Guides for Casual & Retake Modes in Season 4 Update

Among the plethora of new content that the CS2 Premier Season 4 update has brought to the competitive shooter, the addition of workshop guides for Casual and Retake modes might just take the cake for most casual players.

For the uninitiated, this newly added CS2 feature lets players view and execute lineups for smokes, flashes, nades, and other utility on the fly by simply picking out guides from the Steam Workshop. Since it’s restricted to Casual and Retake modes, it also avoids impacting the game’s competitive integrity.

Not all players have the time to dedicate hundreds of hours to studying YouTube guides for smoke lineups across every map, making this new CS2 feature a welcome addition among the casual player base.

How to Use the New Workshop Guides in CS2 Casual & Retake

Activating workshop guides in CS2 when playing Casual or Retake game modes is extremely simple and takes no more than a few seconds.

Once you load into a game, all you need to do is press the ‘Esc’ key on your keyboard and select your preferred guide from the top-left menu on your screen. If you don’t see any guides listed, then you’ll need to browse the Steam Workshop and pick from the hundreds of guides available to download.

Once the download finishes and the workshop guide is activated, all of the included utility lineups will appear in real time as you move across the map.

Note that you’ll only see lineups for the piece of utility you currently have equipped (for example, smoke lineups will appear on the map only when you’re holding a smoke grenade).

That’s everything you need to know about the new workshop guides feature for CS2 Casual and Retake game modes.

BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 2 Day 2 Overall Standings and Recap

The Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2026 (BGIS 2026) The Grind Week 2 Day 2 delivered another thrilling day across Group C and Group D, with 18 matches now complete. RNTX extends their lead in Group C with 170 points, while Los Hermanos storms to the top of Group D with 169 points after a dominant display. The competition intensifies as teams approach the final stretch of the league stage.

BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 2 Day 2 Overall Standings

Group C overall standings after Match 18 are as follows:

RankTeamMatches PlayedPosition PointsFinish PointsTotal
1RNTX1856114170
2LEFP186595160
3TROY185597152
4G4R1849102151
5FS184690136
6VE184094134
7VXT184471115
8JUX184371114
9ALT184464108
104W18306595
11EG18197594
12RiDR18306191
13AURA18216485
14OSH18164662
15GXR18114253
16MDL1871118

Group D overall standings after Match 18 are as follows:

RankTeamMatches PlayedPosition PointsFinish PointsTotal
1LHS1862107169
2TA1850116166
3ES186195156
4PNX185996149
5M4183287119
6LE184266108
7NINZ183273105
8BAE183668104
9TIE184159100
10GFM18227799
11RVLY18366298
12SBZ18385492
132OP18254974
14WW18195473
15GVT18165167
16EVOM18115465

BGIS 2026 The Grind Week 2 Day 1 Matchwise Recaps

Group C Match Highlights

Match 16 – Erangel

The opening match of Day 2 for Group C ended in a 3v3v1 firefight between Meta Ninza, GVT, and Likitha Esports in the final zone. GVT emerged victorious with 4 finishes, executing precise rotations to secure the chicken dinner in a low-elimination affair.

Match 17 – Miramar

Miramar’s first game concluded with a 3v1v1 standoff between EVAM, Team Alpha, and Team iNSANE Esports as the zone closed in. Team Alpha showcased clinical aggression to claim the WWCD with 9 finishes, eliminating both remaining squads in the final moments.

Match 18 – Miramar

The final Group C match of the day erupted into a 3v2v1 battle between Team Alpha, Mysterious4, and Bot Army Esports. Team Alpha ultimately dominated the closing circle, securing back-to-back chicken dinners with a massive 17 finishes to cap off an exceptional performance.

Group D Match Highlights

Match 16 – Rondo

Group D kicked off with an intense 4v4v2 endgame between Team Altitude, LEFP, and Vasista Esports battling for survival on Rondo. LEFP showcased exceptional squad coordination to claim the WWCD with 14 finishes, asserting their dominance early in the day.

Match 17 – Erangel

The match came down to a nail-biting 2v2v1 scenario between G4R, LEFP, and FS Esports in the final compound. LEFP secured their second consecutive chicken dinner with 5 finishes, but G4R dominated the elimination board, finishing at 2nd position with an impressive 16 finishes to rack up crucial points.

Match 18 – Erangel

Day 2 for Group D concluded with a 4v3v2 clash between JUX Esports, Rider Esports, and Revenant Xspark as the circle collapsed. JUX Esports showed incredible composure to secure the WWCD with 7 finishes, closing out a day of intense Erangel battles.

With 18 matches complete, RNTX leads Group C by 10 points over LEFP, while Los Hermanos holds a narrow 3-point advantage over Team Alpha in Group D. Six crucial matches remain in BGIS 2026

Online Gaming Rules to Be Released Within 15 Days: Indian IT Minister

The Indian government will announce rules related to online gaming within a span of 15 days, declared Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at an interview with Moneycontrol in Davos World Economic Forum. There were extensive consultations related to these rules with industry sectors and law enforcement.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), which came into effect in August 2025, has completely barred all forms of money games conducted online, whether by chance, skill, or a combination of both, to prevent various social evils such as gambling, loss of funds, etc. The legislation, which received presidential assent quickly, led to the collapse of the multi-billion-dollar real money gaming industry based in India, which has an estimated value of about 3.5 billion US dollars. Draft rules have been outlined for the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) to be used for the registration of games, grievances, etc.

These rules not only operationalize PROGA’s substantive provisions for e-sports in terms of training academies and incentives, alongside safe social and educational games. It also imposes severe penalties of three years of imprisonment along with a ₹1 crore fine for operators, and of two years along with a ₹50 lakh fine for advertisers. Banks are also prohibited from assisting in prohibited transactions.

The industry, now concentrating its efforts in the area of esports following a government-imposed national betting ban, recently saw the government shut down 242 illicit betting websites.

As the Indian Government is close to finalizing the online gaming rules, every Indian gamer is eagerly waiting to see what’s coming. Keep following TalkEsport for the latest news and updates on this matter.