India’s online gaming industry is growing for sure, but the concerns are also prevalent. These are alarming, but the most potent reason behind these is the lack of a cohesive regulatory framework. Currently, the country has multiple state-specific laws, where Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have banned certain online games that they have mentioned leading to addiction and gambling. Additionally, states like Karnataka have strict regulations against real-money gaming.
These work for certain states, but these aren’t enough to stop the troubles completely. Therefore, a is required to address all the issues and bring uniformity:
Certain Games to be Regulated: It is necessary to differentiate between skill-based games and games of chance. While games based on skill should be allowed to go on freely, games based on chance, which are mostly gambling games, should be regulated under gambling laws.
Consumer Protection: No matter which industry it is, consumer protection is necessary. As the industry is growing at a fast speed, it is essential to ensure the protection of users. In the gaming industry, this is more important because this sector consists of minors. Therefore, age restrictions, parental control options, and responsible gaming practices must be added strictly to reduce the risk of addiction and exploitation.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: The next thing that should be kept in mind is data privacy and . Currently, millions of Indian gamers are involved in online gaming, so ensuring that platforms adhere to strict data privacy standards is vital. Aside from that, the government must release suitable laws that protect users’ personal information and ensure cybersecurity isn’t in danger.
Taxation: The taxation rules must be clear in gaming, just like other sectors. Currently, the tax structure is ambiguous. So, the government must form a uniform tax policy that will benefit both gaming operators and the government to stop illegal activities.
The future of online gaming in India is promising, but the road is not smooth. At every step, there are some obstacles to overcome. However, challenges will always be there, but with proper rules and policies, it won’t be hard to bridge the gap and make gaming a smoothly operating and revenue-generating sector like others.
