The Chinese government has ordered operators of 49 illegal online games to shut them down, said the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) in a statement here Monday.

The operators did not submit the games to the GAPP for approval before they started operation, which violated the regulations, the statement said.

The GAPP has informed a total of 46 companies to stop the operation of illegal games within seven days after they receive the GAPP notices.

They can restart the operations if they get government approval in line with legal requirements, the statement added.

The 49 illegal games, all homebred, are of various themes including crime investigation, football team management and fantasy games.