The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) introduced the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations 2025 by notification dated February 12, 2025, under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 20221. The regulations set rules for online real money games in the state, covering age limits, identity checks, spending controls and hours of access1.
The regulations define an online real money game as "an online game where a user makes a deposit in cash or kind with the expectation of earning winnings on that deposit," referencing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 20211. Winnings are defined as "any prize, in cash or kind, which is distributed or intended to be distributed to a user of an online game based on the performance of the user and in accordance with the rules of such online game"1.
Key requirements include:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age limit | Minors under 18 prohibited from playing online real money games1 |
| KYC | Mandatory at first account creation, with AADHAAR authenticated by a second-layer OTP sent to the linked phone number1 |
| Caution messages | Pop-up after one hour of continuous play, then every 30 minutes, showing how long the player has been playing1 |
| Login page warning | Continuous display including the wording "ONLINE GAMING IS ADDICTIVE IN NATURE"1 |
| Monetary limits | Platforms must let players set daily, weekly and monthly limits; each deposit must show the pre-set limit and total spent so far1 |
| Blank hours | Players prevented from logging in from 12:00 am to 05:00 am every day1 |
"players are now prevented from logging in to real money games from 12:00 am to 05:00 am, every day"
The regulations leave some points unclear. The language on monetary limits does not specify whether the caps are set by the platform or entirely by the user, whether users can revise them, or how often1. The caution messages, while intended to flag long sessions, could push players toward less-regulated platforms, including overseas ones1. The blank hours restriction may lead players to shift their schedules rather than reduce play, and could face constitutional challenge as a restriction on trade1.
What it means for players
Anyone playing real money online games in Tamil Nadu now needs an AADHAAR-linked account verified by OTP before their first login1. Players under 18 are barred outright1. Sessions cannot start between midnight and 5am1. Players will see a pop-up after an hour of continuous play and every 30 minutes after that, plus a permanent addiction warning on the login page1. Platforms must offer daily, weekly and monthly spending limits and show the pre-set limit and total spent at each deposit1. How those limits are set and changed has not been clarified1.
What happens next
The regulations took effect through the February 12, 2025 notification1. No further steps, compliance deadlines or enforcement dates are reported in the source1.
