India’s Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Rajeev Chandrasekhar spoke at the Times Network India Digital Fest March 29, noting that the draft rules for online gaming are nearly ready. After “extensive consultation,” the rules are being scrutinized by the government, he said.
Of the digital games, the minister said, “We will certainly make it very, very difficult and certainly illegal for any wagering to happen on these games.” While online gaming is allowed in India, wagering online is specifically prohibited.
The minister said the government’s approach is based on harm, legality and illegality.
MeitY issued a statement on the draft rules: “With the user base of online games growing in India, need has been felt to ensure that such games be offered in conformity with Indian laws and that the users of such games be safeguarded against potential harm.”
The rules require that “online gaming intermediaries” require that its users not host, display, publish etc. online games that don’t conform to Indian laws.
India’s gaming market was estimated to be around $2.6 billion in fiscal year 2022 and is projected to reach $8.6 billion by FY27. It is also estimated that the number of gamers in the country was 507 million last year.
