RMG Operators Struggle to Adapt as TNOGA Regulations Tighten

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The Tamil Nadu government has released the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025, establishing guidelines for online real-money gaming (RMG) platforms. The regulations, published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, have taken effect, requiring RMG operators to ensure compliance to avoid legal consequences.

As reported by the Economic Times, Tamil Nadu Act 9 of 2023), outline measures to govern real-money gaming. Key provisions include prohibiting minors under 18 years of age from participating in RMG, mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification at the account creation stage, and Aadhaar-based authentication with a secondary One-Time Password (OTP) verification.

Additionally, the regulations require online gaming providers to implement caution pop-up messages for players engaged in continuous gameplay exceeding one hour. These messages must appear at 30-minute intervals, informing users of their session length. Gaming platforms must also allow players to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, with pop-up messages displaying the user’s spending details upon making a deposit.

One provision mandates “blank hours,” prohibiting access to RMG platforms between midnight and 5 AM (IST). Industry experts have raised concerns over the feasibility and necessity of this restriction. A legal expert, speaking anonymously, stated, “RMG operators must comply with these regulations now that they have been gazetted. Failure to do so could result in legal consequences.”

RMG Operators Face Compliance Hurdles Amid TNOGA Regulations

The industry is now assessing the technical and operational aspects of implementing these new measures. An RMG insider, speaking to Storyboard18, suggested that some operators may consider temporarily halting services in Tamil Nadu while they update their technology to meet compliance requirements.

Legal challenges to the regulations are also anticipated. Storyboard18 previously reported that the RMG industry was preparing to contest the government’s “blank hour” mandate, arguing that it is unnecessary. Jay Sayta, a technology and gaming lawyer, noted, “The enforcement of blank hours seems unnecessary, especially given that deposit limits and warning mechanisms are already mandated. The lack of a uniform national policy may also create inconsistencies, as regulations vary across states.”

Tamil Nadu’s Online Gaming Authority has defended the move, emphasizing the need to address gaming addiction and protect young users from excessive play. The federations representing RMG operators are expected to challenge the regulations in court, which may influence the future of real-money gaming in the state.

With Tamil Nadu implementing these regulations, the outcome could have implications for the gaming industry across India.

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