The recent statement made by Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot during the budget presentation that his government is looking to regulate the online skill gaming sector is seen as a welcome move by the industry stakeholders. The announcement comes in at a time when the industry has received back-to-back favourable decisions from the Karnataka and Madras High Courts quashing laws that imposed sweeping bans. Industry for a long time has proposed regulation than imposing bans.
Reacting to CM’s statement, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the Skill Games Council of India welcomed the move and hoped the government will adopt an enabled gaming policy protecting players while ensuring a secure, and responsible gaming environment for all.
AIGF welcomes move to regulate gaming by CM Gehlot
The online skill gaming landscape in India has evolved significantly over the years, with an exponential growth rate year after the pandemic broke, attracting several marquee investors. The mobile gaming market in India is projected to hit a $5 billion opportunity by 2025 from the current $1.5 billion, according to a recent Sequoia India and Boston Consulting Group report.
All India Gaming Federation CEO Roland Landers said, “It is extremely motivating to see leaders of the nation and various states recognise the overall value of online skill gaming industry and facilitate creating progressive policies and regulatory framework for this sunrise sector. India is the fifth largest online gaming market globally and is giving birth to an increasing number of unicorns within the country. The sector has been a strong financial contributor to the Indian economy even during an unprecedented period of slowdown and is further expected to generate revenues in excess of $3 billion by 2025. The expansive growth also means generation of employment opportunities. In accordance with this growth, AIGF is committed to supporting governments’ in establishing a safe gaming environment and framework. AIGF and the Skill Games Council of India have a domain of experts who are eager to assist in playing a consultative role for the same.”
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The central government recently announced setting up of animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) task force which is expected to give a major boost to the game development sector, as the industry looks forward to bringing in massive employment, through direct and indirect jobs and becoming a meaningful contributor to the overall GDP of the country. On 2 March, PM Modi said the AVGC sector offers immense potential to employ youth. “We need to promote AVGC to build domestic capacity for serving our markets and the global demand,” he said.
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“We are in alignment with the prime minister’s Atmanirbhar Abhiyaan across industries and are keen to work along with state governments to recognise the potential of the online skill gaming industry as it outstripped most other sections of our economy, growing in excess of 20 per cent annually and contributing significantly tax revenues making it one of the fastest-growing segments within the Indian M&E sector. The sunrise online skill gaming industry is responsible for facilitating 400+ start-ups in this sector and attracted 400+ million gamers – young Indians providing them viable alternate job opportunities in Esports and other gaming businesses,” Roland added.