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ARTICLE · 21 APRIL 2023

Summary Of Amendments To The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 In Relation To Online Gaming

Ikigai Law
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This note captures the key takeaways of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)'s amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)...

IndiaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Ikigai Law
Ikigai Law
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This post summarises the recent amendments to the IT Rules 2021 to regulate online gaming.

A. Overview

This note captures the key takeaways of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)'s amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021) to regulate online gaming (the Amendment). The Amendment proposes a self-regulatory structure for the online gaming industry. Broadly:

  • Online games played for real money that are deemed 'permissible' may be offered in India. The verification of the permissibility of these games will be done by Self-Regulatory bodies (SRBs) recognised by MeitY and are meant to weed out games considered betting and gambling. Online games that are not deemed permissible run the risk of being blocked in India. Companies enabling access to online real money games will have to disclose information about its policies and practices (e.g., on protecting users'

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