Page 14 - Online Games

Time, money limits in online games help curb addictive behaviour: Study

The study, conducted based on data provided by gaming companies, analysed the gaming habits of more than 8,000 gamers

Online gaming companies move Madras HC against state's gaming regulations

Online gaming companies on Wednesday approached the Madras High Court to declare certain provisions of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025 as unconstitutional. A division bench comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and K Rajasekar before whom the petitions filed by Head Digital Works Private Limited, New Delhi, which is engaged in the business of developing and offering online games of skill in India and two other companies came up for hearing, adjourned it by two weeks to enable the central and state governments to file counter affidavits. The companies challenged Regulation 4 (iii) (KYC verification shall be mandatory for the initial login with Aadhar to be authenticated by 2nd layer verification of One Time Password (OTP) sent to the phone number linked with Aadhar number) and Regulation 4 (viii) (Blank hours shall be implemented for the real money games from 12 midnight to 5 a.m. (based on Indian Standard Time). No login of the games shall b

Policy stability, rational taxes tops Budget wishlist of gaming companies

A stable policy that spurs investments and job creation, alongside a more rational and progressive taxation regime, tops the Budget wishlist of online gaming companies, according to E-Gaming Federation Anuraag Saxena. His comments assume significance as the Directorate General of GST Intelligence's (DGGI) tax demands totalling Rs 1.12 lakh crore against online gaming companies, over the past many months, spooked the industry, although the Supreme Court's recent stay on showcause notices issued by GST authorities has provided a breather. Saxena said a slew of measures suggested by the industry can "turbocharge" the sector. The online gaming industry is also keen on playing a bigger role in participating in initiatives that involve and educate people about various government schemes through online educational games. "We need policy clarity and policy stability, which is what both domestic investors and foreign investors look for," Saxena said. The e-gaming industry is also pitching

New gaming titles to dominate growth for India's gaming sector: Survey

Seven out of 10 industry stakeholders and company leaders believe that local themes, languages, and culturally resonant content may determine the success of Indian games in 2025

Delta Corp, Nazara Tech jump up to15% as SC stays GST notices indefinitely

SC on online gaming plea news: The Rajya Sabha, in December 2023, was informed that online gaming companies were served 71 show-cause notices related to GST evasion, amounting to Rs 1.12 trillion

Snakes & Ladders Plus: Strategies for Success

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SOGI urges 28% GST on platform fees and not deposits, for gaming firms

Real money gaming firms-backed Skill Online Games Institute (SOGI) has demanded that the government levy 28 per cent GST on platform fees instead of on deposit for gaming companies in India, to prevent offshore platforms from taking advantage of significant tax arbitrage. The demand comes ahead of the 55th meeting of the GST Council in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on Saturday. In an interview with PTI, Amrit Kiran Singh, President of SOGI, said the online gaming industry is in a nascent stage and the government and industry need to work together to harness the full positives of this industry for the economy and country. "SOGI has approached the Indian government to put forward its recommendations that will allow India to harness the full potential of this huge industry for creating jobs and contributing to its GDP while simultaneously mitigating negative aspects of such as addiction," he said. Starting October 1, 2023, deposits on online gaming platforms and casinos attracted 28 per cent G

Nazara to acquire PokerBaazi parent Moonshine Technology for Rs 982 cr

PokerBaazi is India's largest online poker platform, contributing over 85% of Moonshine's net revenue, while its fantasy sports platform, SportsBaazi, contributes 12%

Indian online gaming industry needs unified regulator: Gujarat NLU report

The online gaming space in India needs a uniform legal framework, evidence-based policy interventions, and an important equilibrium between user protection and the industry's economic potential, a recent report has said. The Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) on Wednesday released the "Evaluating Blanket Bans and Mandatory Limits in Gaming" report, calling for regulations on the online gaming industry. With over 500 million gamers, India is the second-largest market globally after China, the report said. "This rapid expansion, as with any emerging technology, has brought forth challenges, particularly concerning user safety and financial risks. The absence of an overarching regulation has left users in a grey zone," it said. The report studied international frameworks and noted that unlike India, nearly all jurisdictions have established licensing processes and enforced a duty of care for gaming operators. "India should adopt a regulatory framework that mandates operators to

Games24x7 shifts focus to tech platform, plans sector-agnostic investments

Amid new GST regime, Games24x7 eyes growth through diverse tech solutions and innovation

DPIIT floats note to seek distinction between online game of skill, chance

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has circulated a note seeking views of different ministries on distinguishing between online 'Game of Skill' and 'Game of Chance' for the purpose of FDI, a senior official said. The official said that a clear distinction between the two is necessary to seek foreign investments as online game of skill has huge potential. In his address during the 78th Independence Day celebrations here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon Indian professionals to lead the global gaming market and help establish the country as a global leader in the industry. He had emphasised the need for Indian talent to dominate not just in gaming but in game production as well by leveraging the country's rich cultural heritage. "A concept note was circulated for inter-ministerial discussions to distinguish between the two for the purpose of FDI (foreign direct investment). We need to see how in online gaming, we can make distinction between .

Games24x7 looks to keep users engaged despite heavy GST on online gaming

The gaming unicorn is investing in product enhancements to boost user engagement, and is looking to cross-monetize its offerings

Concerned over violent online games, NCP member urges govt for regulation

NCP Rajya Sabha member Fauzia Khan on Tuesday expressed concern over the exposure of children to the violent content of online video games and asked the government to regulate the content. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Upper House, she said that in the digital age, children are increasingly exposed to online video games. Many of these games contain themes unsuitable to small children, such as wanton violence, foul language, substance abuse, sexual content, gender stereotypes, and disregard for law, she noted. "Online games like PubG, Call of Duty, GTA, and Blue Whale Challenge have become immensely popular among the children. This leads to the development of aggressive behaviour in them as they grow up. Excessive exposure can also cause anxiety and phobias, especially in the case of gore content," Khan said. She also referred to an incident in Pune where a 15-year-old boy influenced by a video game, tragically committed suicide by jumping from a 14th-floor ...

Nodwin Gaming to increase its ownership in Freaks 4U in Rs 271 cr deal

By integrating Freaks 4U Gaming's expertise and resources, Nodwin is poised to expand its global footprint in the gaming and esports industries, says Akshat Rathee, co-founder of Nodwin Gaming

After influencers, PM Modi targets young voters via online gamers

The "State of India Gaming Report" released by Google and Lumikai last year stated that the country has around 568 million gamers, and 50 per cent of these are between the ages of 18 to 30

SC takes up pleas from 9 HCs on imposition of 28% GST on e-gaming firms

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed a petition of the Centre and transferred to itself pleas, challenging the imposition of 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax on e-gaming firms, from nine high courts for an authoritative pronouncement. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra allowed the transfer plea of the Centre and asked it to file the response to the pending petitions of online gaming companies by April 20. It also appointed a nodal counsel, who will collate records in the case and now the pleas will be taken up for hearing in the first week of May. Many online gaming firms like Dream 11, Games 24x7, and Head Digital Works had moved the top court challenging the GST imposition. Earlier, the top court had stayed the Karnataka High Court verdict quashing the GST intimation notice to the tune of Rs 21,000 crore issued to an online gaming firm.

Manifesto of Drama theory and Leadership - Explains Dr. Suman R Sensarma, Partner-CLA Global IVC

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Will homegrown titles redefine India's burgeoning gaming industry?

The Indian gaming market, currently valued at $3.1 bn, is expected to reach a valuation of $7.5 bn by FY28

Games24x7 thrives amid new GST, explores innovative business models: CEO

'Despite GST, 2023 was best year for our fantasy sports, rummy platforms,' says Games24x7 CEO

FIR against gaming site as Tendulkar raises concerns over his deepfake

The deepfake also sought to create an impression that Tendulkar and his daughter Sara had won large sums of money by playing a certain online game