Online Gaming and Gambling Regulation – eSport stakeholders react to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s comment on regulating Online Gaming – Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday emphasized the need for a central law to strictly regulate online gaming and gambling in the country. Recently, the Government of India banned more than 138 Online Games, which are related to Sports and Gambling. Hence, the regulation is the need of the hour through a central law. Meanwhile, popular eSports stakeholders also feel the same. Here are what they had to say regarding the same. For future updates on Gaming and Esports, follow InsideSport.IN.
Online Gaming and Gambling Regulation
Union Mister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “We, as very responsible lawmakers, should come with a consensus and we should then have a central act which basically has been drafted in consultation with everybody to effectively regulate online games and online gambling,”
Reactions from the stakeholders
Here’s what the Esports stakeholders have to say regarding the same.
1. Yugal Kishore Sharma, Director of Esports Federation of India
“Implementing a central law to regulate Apps such as Teen Patti, Poker, Rummy, Fantasy, online gambling/betting, etc. is a positive step forward. It is important for the central law to accurately categorize/define these types of Apps and Platforms in a manner consistent with how the rest of the world defines them, as “igaming” instead of “online gaming.
This will help ensure the effectiveness and clarity of the regulations and also not confuse actual video games and esports (both played online and/or offline). Every Stakeholder in the video gaming ecosystem requires a separate division and set of rules to fuel the growth of the emerging Industry.”
2. Rohit N Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports:
Of course, there is a pressing need to officially regulate real money gaming, fantasy, and betting apps to make sure that the industry operates in a responsible and transparent manner. Establishing a regulatory framework for the industry would not only promote responsible gaming but would also address a lot of issues related to gambling in the country.
The decision will also ensure that there is no confusion between iGaming, fantasy sports, and Esports in the country which is the need of the hour. These regulations will help in creating a sustainable ecosystem that allows India’s Esports industry to grow and prosper in a safe and fair environment.
