As the industry has grown exponentially, concerns are already raised about the creation of any regulatory framework to address the web sports sector. Although no official online gaming regulations come in place, the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) has recently issued new guidelines governing the sale of real-money games. Fun games, a set of real cash games, are one of the most popular sports in India. As players from various industries seek to make the specifications of such game titles more explicit, NITI Aayog recently proposed draft guidelines for the management of online fiction games in India. These guidelines are for text only and are currently open for reviews and comments from industry stakeholders.
Responsible gaming is a cornerstone of ethical operations in the online gaming industry, underscoring the importance of player protection, fair play, and the promotion of safe gaming environments. Unlike traditional land-based casinos, online gaming platforms face unique challenges due to their accessibility, anonymity, and the rapid pace of digital interactions. The convenience of 24/7 access, coupled with the potential for high-speed and high-stakes gaming, makes it crucial for online operators to implement effective responsible gaming measures. This article explores best practices in responsible gaming for online platforms, detailing strategies to support safe gambling behavior, protect vulnerable players, and foster a culture of responsibility in the digital gaming space. It is clarified that where an online game is so notified, the provisions of the Amendment Rules applicable to permissible online real money games, will also apply in respect of such an online game.
Additional due diligence must be observed by significant social websites intermediaries under Rule 4, with sub-rules inserted that focus on any permissible online real money game.
SROs are mandated to protect users from harm, including self-harm and psychological harm, particularly protecting children through parental controls and age-rating mechanisms. Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Regulations, 2023 introduced rules for online gaming platforms to regulate the area. This new set of rules is a breakthrough in the space and an effort to balance innovation and the protection of users. The new rules have defined ‘online games’ as the ‘game that’s offered on the Internet which is accessible by way of a user through a computer resource or an intermediary’. It in addition has given online games the status of intermediaries in-line with social media intermediaries, therefore, putting on some obligations on online gaming intermediaries.
By implementing these modifications to the regulations, they’ll offer rewarding benefits and guard buyers from any hazards. Regulation will not only protect players from financially risky games, but additionally from games like “Blue Whale”, in which users were allegedly assigned online challenges or tasks that ultimately led them to self-harm or commit suicide. These games have been connected to a number of deaths throughout the globe and are believed to be especially deadly due to the fact that they frequently entail anonymity and are difficult to track. This comprehensive regulation of online gaming would presumably reduce the regulatory complexity at the state level, which has been a key hurdle for the industry. For example, the laws of the states of Assam, Odisha, and some part of Telangana explicitly ban online games with stakes/real money in India and cannot be played at any cost. These laws will go a long way toward safeguarding consumer interests and encouraging the prudent and transparent growth of the business.
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