Regulation of online gaming and gambling law will create sustainable ecosystem in esports industry: Stakeholders

In a most significant step towards regulating the online gaming and gambling law, the Union Minister Ashwani Kumar requested state governments and political parties to reach a consensus.

While answering a query in Lok Sabha, the Union Minister revealed that nineteen states and Union Territories have passed their own laws in this regard, but stated that state boundaries have no meaning in the digital world.

Meanwhile, several stakeholders in the industry have reacted to the minister’s comment in regards with the regulation of online gaming and gambling. Check out reactions below.

Yugal Kishore Sharma, Director of Esports Federation of India

Implementing a central law to regulate Apps such as Teen Patti, Poker, Rummy, Fantasy, online gambling/betting, etc. is a positive step forward. This will help ensure the effectiveness and clarity of the regulations and also not confuse actual video games and esports (both played online and/or offline).

Rohit N Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports:

Of course, there is a pressing need to officially regulate real money gaming, fantasy, and betting apps to make sure that the industry operates in a responsible and transparent manner.

Establishing a regulatory framework for the industry would not only promote responsible gaming but would also address a lot of issues related to gambling in the country. These regulations will help in creating a sustainable ecosystem that allows India’s Esports industry to grow and prosper in a safe and fair environment.

Rohit Agarwal, Founder & Director, Alpha Zegus

Implementing a central law is very debatable. It does make a lot of sense when we talk about regulating gaming & gambling addiction, but at the same time, the games that should be allowed and banned seem like a state-to-state decision to take. We should wait a while to hear what rules are being put into the central pipeline.