The Government of India should frame online gaming guidelines at the national level which can be followed by the states, according to a letter written by IndiaTech to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), as seen by MediaNama. IndiaTech is an industry association representing India’s consumer internet startups, unicorns, and investors, according to its website. Some of its notable members include Ola, MakeMyTrip, Dream11, and MPL. The association affirmed that certain online games have an element of skill despite the involvement of money, distinguishing them from betting and gambling. "The mere involvement of money does not make any game into an addictive or gambling genre," the letter addressed to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw read. It is essential to regulate the sector as online gaming has grown tremendously in the last two years and contributes significantly in terms of employment, FDI, GST/ taxes, etc. including support to ancillary industries like marketing. Guiding principles proposed by IndiaTech The letter defined OSCGS as games/sports that are always in a multi-player format using the internet for the purpose of entertainment. They are based on skills predominantly and casual in nature, it said. The association called for the government to refer to the following principles while drafting legislation for online gaming: Derivatives of real-world games and recognised/unrecognised sports, and are played with real players. Played for recreation and not as a profession or to earn a livelihood. These games are played as entertainment, to release stress and for social interaction. Run for short intervals lasting approximately…
