new Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed amendments to the IT (Intermediaries Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules 2021 to regulate online gaming in India. It has released the draft amendment for public discussion and sought feedback from the public by January 17, 2023.
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As per the proposed amendments, MeitY aims to make online gaming intermediaries (platforms) follow due diligence by self-regulation and mandatory player verification.
A few days ago, the central government made MeitY the nodal ministry for online gaming regulation. The government aims to compel online gaming platforms to comply with the IT Rules, 2021 and verify users/players before playing on the platform.
,@GoI_MeitY invites comments on draft amendment in respect of IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021 #online gaming
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Give Feedback https://t.co/x8RfEmj7Md by January 17 #Digital India @Ashwini Vaishnav @Rajeev_Goi pic.twitter.com/ny2Rjy9u7G— Digital India (@_DigitalIndia) January 2, 2023
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Moroever, there will be a registration mark for all online games to confirm the registration from the self-regulatory body to comply with the additional due diligence. It shall oblige the online gaming intermediary to inform its users about its policy relating to withdrawal or refund of deposit, method of determination and distribution of winnings, fees and other charges payable and KYC process for registration of user account.
Betting on online sports may also be banned once the proposed amendments come into effect.
The self-regulatory body will be registered with the ministry and can register online games of such online gaming intermediaries who are its members and who meet certain criteria. Such bodies will also resolve grievances through grievance redressal mechanism.
online gaming problem
Online gaming has so far been unregulated in India and has been a subject of controversy. In the past too many cases have been seen in which users were being duped or forced to spend lakhs of rupees, especially teenagers.