Indian Game Developers Oppose Government's Plan to Regulate Video Games as Gambling

A coalition of 44 Indian game developers and esports companies has expressed strong opposition to a government proposal that would subject video games to the same regulatory framework as real-money gambling. The group, which includes executives from prominent companies such as Gametion, Nodding Head Games, and SuperGaming, argues that the two industries are fundamentally different in terms of their business models, consumer engagement, and legal environments. In a letter to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the developers contend that lumping video games and online gambling together under the same regulatory umbrella is neither accurate nor fair. They point out that no other country includes online gambling revenues in their games industry market reports, and that a blanket regulatory approach would fail to address the unique circumstances of each industry. Instead, the developers suggest creating a distinction between 'video games' and 'online games played for stakes,' as well as establishing an India-specific age and content rating system similar to those used in the EU and North America. They also propose developing a framework to address issues such as game addiction, in-game purchases, and online harm. The Indian government has taken a keen interest in the gaming industry in recent years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing support for gaming as a means of promoting Indian culture and folklore. However, the country has also imposed bans on several popular games, including PUBG Mobile and Garena Free Fire, due to concerns over their impact on young people and their alleged links to Chinese companies.