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Interactive


SBC DIGITAL INDIA GRID LOGIC GROUP


of people supporting anything before it will consider taking action on anything. Tere is also a taboo and stigma attached to gambling and real money games. To combat this, we are trying to move into and be recognised within the entertainment space.


“We are not there yet – it is not yet understood in India as it is in Europe that rather than watching Netflix or playing videogames, it is possible to enter an online tournament for money. It is going to take time.


“If you asked me ten years ago whether India would pay and access an international streaming network called Netflix, I’d have said there would be no chance. Now, everybody in India seems to have it and OTT streaming is a huge industry in its own right. Tings can change very quickly with sufficient demand.”


SELF-REGULATION


While the Indian government is yet to define regulations for online gaming, the industry is proactively forming self- regulatory bodies. Tere are four major charters working towards self-regulation in India:


“In my view, regulation will not come from the Government but from the direction of


A CASE FOR CENTRAL LAW


Te Sports (Online Gaming and Prevention of Fraud) Bill 2018 proposed a central law for online skill games, and the Law Commission of India has since recommended the same. A central law would empower a self-regulated association with individual bodies representing each gaming category.


Pariekshit shares the same view: “Many states such as Meghalaya and Assam are looking at regulation. However, unless a central regulation team is formed, each of the 29 states will continue to differ in their approach.


“Currently, it is only when there is a certain level of revenue coming in that states will think to regulate and, conversely, without a quantifiable amount of revenue individual states have the mindset of not bothering to regulate. Until we have a country-wide body, India will continue to be an unlicensed market.


“In my view, regulation will not come from the Government but from the direction of Supreme Court of India who has traditionally taken all the major decisions, including politically charged and regionally sensitive cases. I think the Supreme Court will end up deciding on


Supreme Court of India who has traditionally taken all the major decisions, including politically charged and


regionally sensitive cases. I think the Supreme Court will end up deciding on gaming’s regulatory future and we will respect the decision either way.”


gaming’s regulatory future and we will respect the decision either way.


“As a businessman, I have spent eight years in the market and if I'm going to spend 10 or 20 more years here, I want it to be regulated. I want my country to make sure everybody is operating responsibly and that all players are safe/being looked after.”


Asked why India’s government adopts such a reactionist approach to gaming regulation, Grid Logic’s Managing Director cites the country’s mass population and its regional and cultural differences.


“Te Government needs to see a huge strength


1. All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) 2. Te Online Rummy Federation (TORF)


3. Te Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)


4. Te Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS)


Tese federations have defined or are in the process of defining self-regulatory frameworks, laying down industry specific guidelines and adopting international best practices around fair play, responsible gaming, ethical advertising, online security and privacy, software integrity, user verification and complaint redressals. To bring more credibility to the industry, the federations have started conducting third-party audits to ensure that operators follow the set guidelines.


“As part of these self-regulatory guidelines we take extensive details from our customers, including a driving licence, passport or proof of address as part of our KYC process, who are then subject to deposit limits and proof of fund checks.


“Most operators are extremely careful, and we have guidelines for KYC that are almost on a par with strict regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission.


“Regardless of whether operators are offering Rummy, Fantasy or Poker, the basis and purpose of the charters is the same - to operate responsibly. Operators who follow these guidelines earn the respect of the industry, players and, crucially, the Government.”


NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / MARKET DATA P83


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