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The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced an e-gaming policy, which will bring in self-regulation, mandatory verification for players, and additional due diligence. With these moves, the Government of India hopes that the users would get protection from potential harm.
Also Read: Government of India officially recognises Esports as part of ‘multi-sport’ event
In a landmark judgement, Esports was officially recognised by the Indian government after President Droupadi Murmu requested that it should "be included as part of multi-sport events" to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been named the overseeing agency for online gaming. Now Esports would be under the new IT rules, issued in the year, 2021 for social media platforms. The draft brings changes to the IT Act addressing the public for comments, and feedback till January 17.
Talking about the new policy, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar stressed how this move will help in the growth of the Esports industry in India along with safeguarding those involved in the online gaming space.
As quoted by ANI, Chandrashekhar said, “Online gaming intermediaries will be permitted but if they tend to transgress into betting, they will not be permitted. Our intent is to restrict intermediaries from advertising without permission. We as a team will regulate the Internet."
“Our job is to prescribe rules for the safe and trusted functioning of the internet. Our intention is to ensure growth in the gaming sector. We want more and more online gaming intermediaries, but we do not want them to allow wagering on the outcome of their games,” he further added.