Section 15: Authorisation of Investigating Officers

Overview

Section 15 of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, gives the Central Government the power to officially designate officers who can investigate crimes related to online gaming as defined by this law. These officers can be from the Central Government itself, the regulatory authority created by the Act, or from State Governments.

Key Provisions

• Authorisation Power: The Central Government can, through a public notice (notification), authorise specific officers to investigate offences under the Act.
• Officer Specification: The notification can define which officers are authorised (by class or individually), where they have the power to investigate (jurisdiction), what offences they can investigate, and how they will work with local police and other law enforcement agencies.
• Coordination: The section emphasizes the need for coordination between authorised officers and existing law enforcement bodies.

Practical Impact

This section aims to create a structured and coordinated approach to enforcing the Online Gaming Bill. For businesses, it means they will likely interact with specifically designated officers during investigations. It enables standardized procedures for investigations, including notices, information requests, and inspections. For the government, it allows for efficient allocation of cases and faster escalation of serious violations. Companies must maintain records of interactions with these officers and direct all communication through a designated legal or compliance contact.

Examples

• Example 1: The Central Government issues a notification authorising all Cyber Crime Cell Inspectors in Delhi to investigate offences related to prohibited online games under Chapter 3 of the Act. A gaming company operating in Delhi receives a notice from a Cyber Crime Cell Inspector requesting information about its user base.
• Example 2: A State Government authorises a team of officers from its IT Department and its police force to jointly inspect the data centres of an online gaming company suspected of violating rules related to KYC (Know Your Customer) norms. The notification specifies that the team can access server logs and user data relevant to the investigation, and must coordinate with the local police during the inspection.