Online money gaming crackdown: Government proposes to make breaches non-bailable; warrantless searches allowed in draft rules

The government’s newly proposed regulations seek to classify breaches of online money gaming protocols as non-bailable violations, with accountability extending to all company personnel involved in facilitating such infractions, as per the draft guidelines issued on Thursday.The proposed regulations would authorise designated officers to conduct warrantless searches and arrests at any location, physical or digital, where individuals are suspected of having committed or planning to commit violations under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act 2025, reported PTI.“Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, offences under section 5 and section 7 shall be cognizable and non-bailable,” according to the draft rules.Under these guidelines, Section 5 explicitly forbids organisations from participating in, supporting, or enabling online monetary gaming activities and related services.Section 7 imposes restrictions on banking institutions, financial organisations, and individuals from processing transactions related to online monetary gaming services.These regulations have been developed under section 19 of the PROG Act, which received presidential approval and was officially announced on August 22. The legislation, which Parliament endorsed in August, prohibits online monetary gaming services and their promotion throughout the nation. The proposed regulations offer legal immunity to authorised personnel conducting investigations of suspicious locations and devices under the Act’s provisions.The Ministry of Electronics and IT is accepting public feedback and observations on these draft regulations until October 31.