Page 17 - Online Games

GST law panel working with experts to define games of skill, chance

Centre and state GST officers are working with online gaming sector experts to define 'games of skill' and 'games of chance' with a view to design different taxation structures for them, sources said. The vexed issue of levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online games has been hanging fire for over a year now with many states pitching for a lower tax rate on those online games which require skill. They are of the opinion that games of skill should not be treated at par with games of chance. The absence of a clear definition often leads to tax notices being sent to online game portals and subsequent litigations. According to sources, the GST Council's Law Committee, which met in Bengaluru on Saturday, discussed the issues concerning definition for 'games of skill' and 'games of chance' with technical domain experts. As all states are not part of the law committee, the draft report on definition would be shared with all states for their views. Sources further said the GoM (Group

Define game of chance, game of skill to decide on taxation: GST law panel

The law panel has informed the group of Ministers (GoM) that a clear definition will clear confusion and reduce scope for multiple litigations

Games24x7 launches Rs 400 cr fund for interactive entertainment start-ups

Will largely focus on entrepreneurs aspiring to build disruptive ventures in online gaming, digital marketing, digital content, sports tech, eSports, blockchain tech and analytics

Netflix acquires game developer 'Spry Fox' to expand in-house games studio

Spry Fox has joined the streaming platform to become its sixth in-house games studio, Netflix said in a blogpost

Smartphone storage space is the new turf war for mobile game makers

The most common workaround from game studios is to put only a basic installer in app stores, which then downloads further game assets once the player starts

Google launches Play Points rewards programme for users in India

Users earn points when they make purchases with Google Play, including in-app items, apps, games, and subscriptions

No cheat-code for online gaming industry as ministry, I-T turn up the heat

The income tax (I-T) department recently issued show-cause notices to seven online game companies, as part of an investigation into possible tax evasion by such institutions.

AIGF urges TN to reconsider online gaming ban, says move 'unconstitutional'

The Federation also believes that the ban can have an adverse effect on the state and will push more and more people towards illegal offshore websites

Industry considers options as Tamil Nadu ordinance bans online gaming

Sector takes hope from High Courts previously overturning such prohibitions by state governments

Gameskraft Technology faces Rs 21,000-crore tax notice for 'GST evasion'

The Council is expected to meet next month to take up the panel's report on the issue

WinZo sues Google for allowing limited categories of real-money games

Challenges inclusion of only DFS and Rummy on Google Play Store, calls the policy an unfair trade practice

WinZO sues Google for Play Store's new policy allowing only fantasy sports

Google is set to run a pilot test for the local developers to distribute their daily fantasy sports (DFS) and rummy games apps on Play Store in India, as e-sports become big in the country

Rockstar Games confirms GTA 6 footage leak; shows its gameplay, more

The over 90 videos also provide an extended look at robberies, NPC interactions, vehicles, and more from its sprawling sandbox

'GTA 6' gameplay leak suggests it might have male, female protagonist

GTA 6 has been under development since 2014 hence it's reasonable to expect development snapshots to be from various builds over the years

GTA 6 gameplay leak suggests it might have male, female playable characters

American video game publisher Rockstar Games' next instalment of its 'Grand Theft Auto' series could easily be one of the most anticipated games and now a new purported leak has offered a sneak peek

Google Play to run India pilot for daily fantasy sports, rummy apps

Company's announcement is of interest to real-gaming app developers as online skill-based real-money gaming market grows

GoM for different GST on sports betting, casinos and horse racing

Group of ministers to seek legal opinion for the move

Kerala govt planning to amend gaming laws to curb online rummy

With celebrities promoting online rummy and massive advertisement campaigns being run to attract people into playing the card game, which has allegedly pushed many into financial ruin and commit suicide as a result, the Kerala government has said it was considering amending its gaming laws to regulate such online games. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said in the state assembly that the government was considering bringing in the amendment subject to the outcome of its appeal in the Kerala High Court against a single judge order, quashing the ban on online rummy games played for money. However, till that happens, various state departments, including the police, are conducting awareness programs in schools and colleges. Besides that, a social policing system, various schemes of student police cadets and awareness campaigns through the media are also being implemented to prevent people from being addicted to such games, Vijayan said on Tuesday. The CM was responding to a ...

Poor start: Over 99% of Netflix users have not tried its games, says report

Video streaming platform Netflix's foray into the gaming business is off to a poor start as a new report says that less than 1 per cent of its subscribers are playing its games

'Online gaming platforms treated illegal when game of chance is involved'

Betting, gambling are unlawful in most parts of the country and online gaming platforms are treated as illegal when game of chance is involved in those platforms, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.