Online gaming has become one of the modes of recreation in the modern digital era, providing entertainment at the touch of a button. Yet this phenomenon is accompanied by adverse consequences. With smartphones and internet connectivity making gaming more accessible than ever, outdoor games, face-to-face interactions, and socialisation are being relegated to the sidelines. This transformation in how we spend our leisure time is worrisome since it usually occurs at the expense of more enriching, and socially interactive physical activities. Thus well-considered regulations are imperative for maintaining a better balance between virtual and real-world interactions.
Online gaming has sparked fear of long-term social and psychogenic repercussions. Perhaps most disturbing is the possibility of an increasingly isolated, non-interactive generation, with real interactions being gradually replaced by electronic connections, sometimes at the expense of physical education and scholastic activities. This has led governments and organisations worldwide to re-evaluate the effects of online gaming, culminating in Gaming Disorder being acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) It defines the disorder as persistent gaming behaviour, whether online or offline, marked by impaired control, including challenges with the frequency, intensity, duration, and termination of gaming.
Individuals with gaming disorder give increasing priority to gaming over other life interests and daily activities. It underscores the need for responsible and comprehensive regulation and support mechanisms to mitigate its potential long-term effects.
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Regulations over ban
To balance responsible gaming with personal freedom, affirmative regulations are needed rather than a complete ban. The recent Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations 2025, are much welcomed. It comes as an evolutionary response to the safeguarding of public health and responsible gaming. It also tries to impose a regime of order upon real-money gambling sites.
The new regulations prevent users under the age of 18 from playing online real money games, which seems both reasonable and necessary. Furthermore, the rules mandate pop-up messages every 30 minutes for players who have been gaming continuously for over an hour. Time-based restrictions are an approach already adopted by countries like China, South Korea, and Japan.
Yet one of the provisions—the five-hour overnight blackout between midnight and 5 am, during which player login is not allowed—is counterintuitive and empirically unsupported. Tamil Nadu’s blanket approach does not offer user-driven customisation, potentially leading to frustration among adult users. Though such rules aim to limit gaming addiction and make platforms more accountable, the outright ban during late nights is problematic. A significant part of the working population works outside normal daylight hours, with numerous individuals working night shifts or on flexible schedules. For such users, late-night gaming is perhaps the only downtime available to them, an important time to relax after a long day.
The blackout period inadvertently affects these users, restricting their free time and compelling them to either change their gaming schedule to inconvenient hours or, more alarmingly, turn to unregulated offshore sites through VPNs or proxy IPs. This transition may compromise the intended purpose of the legislation, driving consumers to the dark web and unregulated websites that do not have appropriate measures in place for the prevention of addiction and adequate age verification.
Additionally, this could deprive the government of taxable revenue and expose minors to significant risks.
Therefore, the more practical way would be to offer users flexibility in their opt-out periods. Providing individuals with the option to set their own preferred gaming off-time—be it at 10 PM for early birds or after midnight for night owls—may more effectively accommodate diverse lifestyles without losing the momentum for sensible gaming.
This self-regulated system may allow players more control over screen time, while maintaining the gaming experience within their individual schedules.
There is a need to modify these regulations, as they are not intervention-based or focused on incentives. Instead, strategies such as counselling, digital well-being tools, or voluntary game limits could be more effective in promoting long-term behaviour change.
Also read: Indian gaming is a boys’ club. Women gamers are turning to Twitch & YouTube
Privacy concerns
The introduction of Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations for pay-to-play online platforms is a positive development. KYC verification at the initial login stage, rather than at the withdrawal stage, can help to prevent fraudulent activity and ensure age verification. However, I am gravely concerned regarding the privacy of Aadhaar-based authentication. Although Aadhaar-based KYC would help the regulation become better implemented, I am sceptical of the safety of the data so used—like how data will be managed, stored and kept protected.
Another issue to consider is the compliance period required for gaming operators to adjust their platforms in line with the new regulations. The technological updates necessary to integrate KYC procedures, enforce time limits, and implement other restrictions will likely require significant time and resources. During this adjustment period, operators may experience substantial revenue losses, which could ultimately impact the viability of the regulated online gaming industry.
While the regulations brought in by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority promise to check gaming addiction and provide a safer platform for players, there are doubts about its efficacy and the unforeseen side effects on some groups. Also, in the longer term restricting the gaming time would not be enough, as it might not necessarily solve compulsive spending and psychological dependency. This is supported by studies which indicate that gaming addiction is a result of behavioural habits and not merely time spent playing.
A well-balanced strategy that puts its faith in self-regulation, user flexibility, and enhanced privacy protection will be crucial to building a responsible and sustainable online gaming environment. Also, cooperation between industry players and regulators is critical to smoothing out the transition process, limiting disruption, and ultimately building a gaming community that balances enjoyment and well-being.
Karti P Chidambaram is a Member of Parliament for Sivaganga, and a Member of the All India Congress Committee. He is also the Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. His X handle is @KartiPC. Views are personal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)