Advocacy group calls for changes to computer rules to reform online games for children

A policy advocacy group has sought a regulatory framework for skill-based online gambling to protect children and weed out unscrupulous offshore gamblers. Chase India has published an article highlighting the need for a “unified” framework for the online skill-based gaming ecosystem.

“A clear and strong national regulatory framework for online skill-based games will protect children, consumers, ensure the growth of the ‘sunrise’ sector while keeping illegal actors operating from overseas in the space at bay” , the group said in the newspaper.

Currently, different states have interpreted gambling laws differently, causing confusion among legitimate gamblers while unwittingly allowing illegal offshore gamblers with no liability in the country to operate with abandon, he said.

The guidance document has examined the issues with online games of skill and proposes the way forward.

Based on issues faced by users, industry and other stakeholders, the policy paper recommended reforms to the existing regulatory framework to ensure that industry growth is balanced with safeguards so that consumers, especially children, are not harmed and that unscrupulous actors are eliminated.

The document states that the regulatory framework can ensure the growth of the ecosystem and the protection of users of the online skill game platform.

The document recommended that games of skill be clearly defined in the proposed regulatory framework, and that a strong self-regulatory mechanism be put in place to set high ethical standards for the industry while maintaining their operational efficiency.

A grievance mechanism modeled on the OTT platform regulatory framework should be prescribed in the gaming industry, he said.

Provisions to ensure the protection of children should be built into the system so that their access to age-inappropriate content can be blocked and regulations should ensure reasonable security and privacy of users and platforms, he said. -he declares.

The guidance document recommended that the 2021 Information Technology Rules (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Ethics) be amended to include specific provisions for game of skill intermediaries on line.

The proposed reforms will address the urgent need to protect players and the ecosystem of online skill games.

The policy document urged the nodal ministry, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to initiate the process of including guidelines for online games of skill intermediaries with the administrative support of the relevant ministry .