Online Gaming Rules: MeitY Likely To Take 3 Months To Finalise Self-Regulatory Bodies

Three industry bodies of the online gaming sector have filed two different applications, after consultations with about 120 gaming startups, for the formation of self-regulatory bodies (SRBs), as required under the online gaming rules notified in April this year. However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is likely to take at least three months to finalise the SRBs, according to sources.

The sources told Inc42 that recent reshuffle in MeitY and the ministry’s focus on the data protection bill, which is expected to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the parliament, are likely to result in it taking at least three months to take a final call on the SRBs.

It must be noted that Amit Agrawal, who was earlier additional secretary in MeitY, assumed charge as the CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently.

Earlier, it was reported that MeitY would look at forming its own SRB if the industry failed to come up with a proposal by the deadline of July 6.

Under the online gaming rules, all online games would be determined as permissible or not by SRBs. The industry can have one or multiple SRBs, as per the rules. Gaming companies would have to be registered under one of the SRBs to offer products/ services in India.

Industry Bodies Take The Lead

The sources said that the 120 startups, who are primarily members of All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), worked together to come up with proposals for SRBs. The applications were filed under two different collectives.

While around 100 startups associated with the AIGF worked on one SRB application, 20 startups, who are members of EGF and FIFS, collaborated for another application. 

Esports Players Welfare Association (EPWA) became the latest industry body to file an application with the MeitY to constitute an SRB.

Commenting on the developments, AIGF CEO Roland Landers said, “We understand that a few organisations have approached MeitY and submitted applications for designation as an SRB under the gaming rules. Currently, the industry is awaiting notification of SRBs by the government.” 

“We are committed to helping our members and the broader industry to transition to this co-regulatory process once the SRBs are notified. We believe that these rules will usher in greater safety and security for online gamers while allowing the industry to grow and build more Indian games,” he added.

Malay Kumar Shukla, secretary of EGF, confirmed that members of EGF, along with those of FIFS, worked on formation of a SRB and submitted an application. He said many other gaming startups have also been inquiring about joining the proposed SRB. 

In line with MeitY guidelines, the industry bodies have focussed on user protection and not allowing games involving any kind of wagering in their proposals.

(The copy has been edited to include the update on EPWA application.)