India’s online gaming industry is booming, and skill-based real money games like rummy, fantasy sports, and quiz games are gaining serious traction. But before launching your game and allowing users to deposit and withdraw real money, there’s a checklist of legal documents and registrations you must be aware of. Let’s break down what you need to stay compliant and safe in this competitive space.
India’s online gaming industry is booming, and skill-based real money games like rummy, fantasy sports, and quiz games are gaining serious traction. But before launching your game and allowing users to deposit and withdraw real money, there’s a checklist of legal documents and registrations you must be aware of.
Let’s break down what you need to stay compliant and safe in this competitive space.
Before we jump into documents, it’s important to understand what is considered a skill-based game.
According to Indian law, games of skill are legal and are not considered gambling. Games like rummy, chess, fantasy sports (like Dream11), and quiz games fall into this category because the outcome depends more on skill than luck.
Now, let's move to the core: the documents and approvals needed.
Type: Private Limited Company / LLP
Why: Helps in opening a current bank account, signing up for payment gateways, and ensuring investor/trust credibility.
Authority: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Why: Mandatory if your annual revenue exceeds ₹20 lakh. It’s also needed to charge GST on platform fees/commissions.
Authority: Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
Why: Needed for taxation and salary/commission disbursement to users or employees.
Authority: Income Tax Department
Why: Mandatory for user transparency and to avoid legal disputes. These should clearly state:
Age restrictions (18+)
Game rules and how skill is involved
Withdrawal/refund process
Jurisdiction and legal disclaimers
Authority: Self-prepared but should be vetted by a legal expert
Why: This is a crucial document — a legal opinion from a reputed lawyer confirming that your game qualifies as a game of skill.
Helps with: Payment gateway approvals, investor confidence, and defense in case of legal notices.
Why: Gaming laws differ by state. States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh have restrictions on real money gaming.
Pro Tip: Geo-block users from banned states using location filters.
Examples: All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF)
Why: Adds credibility, helps with dispute resolution, and encourages ethical practices.
Why: Most Indian gateways (like Razorpay, Cashfree, Paytm, etc.) will ask for:
Legal opinion letter (skill-based)
T&C and Privacy Policy links
Company documents
Pro Tip: Some banks may require a separate risk approval for gaming businesses.
While India doesn’t have a full-fledged data protection law yet, it’s good to comply with basic security norms like:
SSL encryption
Secure payment handling
User data consent
Don’t allow real money games in banned states.
Avoid calling your game “casino”, “betting”, or “gambling”.
Don’t offer games of chance disguised as games of skill.
Running a real money skill-based game in India is 100% legal if you follow the rules and get your paperwork right. With the right documents, legal vetting, and compliance strategy, you can build a trustworthy platform that players feel confident using.
Need help launching your real money game?
Drop your questions in the comments or reach out for legal templates, developer tools, or strategy guidance.
