- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for tight new legislation to regulate online gaming, citing concerns over youth addiction and exploitation via monetary-based platforms The Times of India+1The Economic Times+1.
- The proposed legal framework would go beyond existing IT rules, aiming to curb platform endorsements by celebrities and implement stronger protections around monetary games such as in-app wagers The Times of India.
- BJP cultural affairs minister Sudhir Mungantiwar labeled online gaming as a “new-age addiction,” calling for public awareness campaigns and enhanced legal oversight The Times of India.
🎯 Why This Matters
- Regulatory uncertainty threatens operations of popular Indian and global gaming platforms (e.g., Dream11, MPL, Mobile Legends).
- With hundreds of millions of Indian youth engaged in mobile gaming, stricter laws could significantly change the gaming landscape.
- Celebrity-endorsed platforms are in the crosshairs—potentially reshaping influencer marketing and sponsorship strategies in gaming.
Would you like a breakdown of:
- Specific measures under consideration (taxation limits, age verification, prize caps)?
- How similar rules have impacted other countries like China and South Korea?
- Responses from gaming companies or insights from industry groups?
