• India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced new regulations for online gaming to protect gamers from harmful content and addictive consequences, primarily referring to wagering which will no longer be permitted in games.
• The new rules include establishing multiple Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs), prohibiting online games that promote betting in any way, and implementing parental controls, age-rating mechanisms, and user-defined time or money limits to prevent addiction and psychological harm.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced new online gaming regulations to protect gamers from harmful content and addictive consequences. This primarily refers to wagering, which will no longer be permitted in games. Following extensive consultations, the centre has decided on five such amendments. Let’s take a look at them.

What are the new rules for Online Gaming in India

To understand the new rules for Online gaming in India , we have make them simple to understand .

1. The government will establish multiple SROs with stakeholders from and outside the industry. These SROs will determine whether a game is permissible or not.
2. Gaming companies or intermediaries should not host, publish, or distribute harmful or illegal content in online games. They will be required to meet KYC requirements.
3. Online games that promote betting in any way (including advertisements) will be prohibited.
4. Through parental controls, repeated warning messages, and age-rating mechanisms, SRO will also ensure that games adhere to frameworks against addiction and psychological harm.
5. Users will be able to exclude themselves after exceeding user-defined time or money limits.

What is SRO in Online Gaming ?

SRO stands for Self-Regulatory Organization, which will approve a game or gaming content.

Reactions to India’s New Online Gaming Regulations

MPL’s CEO and co-founder, Sai Srinivas, believes that “the uniform legal framework provided by these rules will boost investor confidence (in Brand India).” He also anticipates that this will aid in the creation of “a more stable business environment and the weeding out of gambling platforms.”

According to Lokesh Suji, Director of the Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), “This historic decision will finally free Esports from the taint of iGaming/RMG. For years, ESFI has been advocating for the separation of online gaming and real money gaming/iGaming, and we are thrilled to see the government finally take this bold step, which demonstrates their unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and responsible video gaming environment in the country “.

Alpha Zegus’ Founder and Director, Rohit Agarwal, expresses his delight “Finally, video games and real money gaming have separate identities! It’s been a long time coming, and it’s a relief that it’s finally come to light. The two industries can now have separate policies, guidelines, and laws that govern them, and the reported numbers can remain distinct. The government made an excellent decision!”

Know About Online Gaming

An online game, according to the government, is one that is “offered on the internet and is accessible by a user through a computer resource or an intermediary.”

The government considers an online real money game to be legal if it “does not involve wagering on any outcome.” The operative word here is “outcome.”