Online Gaming in India Set to Change Forever Due to New Government Regulations
The Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT has introduced new regulations to protect online gamers from harmful content and addiction. The rules are part of an amendment to the IT Rules of 2021, and will be enforced by Self Regulatory Organisations (SROs), which will approve permissible games based on guidelines that prevent addiction and mental harm, safeguard children, prevent user harm, and protect India’s sovereignty and integrity.
The SROs will be composed of representatives from various sectors, including education, psychology or mental health, and child rights. Online games that involve any kind of gambling, including ads, will be prohibited, and gaming firms must verify the identity of online gamers. Real money gaming is permitted as long as the result of the game is not staked on money. Stakeholders have welcomed the new rules, with some calling it a landmark moment for the industry, while others have hailed it as a means to promote gaming innovations in India.
According to the Indian Government, an online game is defined as a game that is accessible through a computer resource or intermediary on the Internet. However, non-permissible games are those that involve wagering, user harm in content, and addiction consequences for children. The government has prohibited online games that involve any form of gambling, including ads.
The Indian government’s new regulations aim to protect online gamers from harmful content and addiction by enforcing guidelines that promote responsible and transparent growth of the industry. Stakeholders have welcomed the new rules, as they believe it will promote innovation and boost ‘create in India’ and ‘brand in India’ initiatives. The legal framework provided by the new rules will boost investor confidence and help India become a global leader in gaming. However, the rules have also prohibited online games that involve any form of gambling, including ads.
