Recent regulatory interventions in India targeted at digital services are both harsh and sudden, such as the ban on real-money games without notice to gamers.
This policy unpredictability is accelerating India's brain drain, particularly in tech and digital innovation, where skilled professionals seek more stable environments abroad.
Government's attempt to regulate online gaming sector, particularly games involving financial stakes, is undoubtedly praiseworthy, given that this sector was previously largely unregulated.
The new law, which the government has framed as a moral duty, forced major platforms like Dream11 & Zupee to shut operations, wiping out hundreds of crores in market capitalisation.
If the Act applied to the ‘offline’ games, then ATP tennis tournaments, Davis Cup ties, IPL matches, and even Test cricket, each with cash rewards or trophies, would fall foul.
Before the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka brought laws to regulate online gaming.
India should build on regulatory architecture instead of driving consumers into the shadows. The real choice is not between prohibition and inaction, but between regulation and chaos.
New bIll makes no difference between online games of skill & chance, proposing a complete ban on any game played for money, including its endorsement, banking services, etc
FAFT report cites analysis of in-game purchases to highlight link between terror financing & money laundering techniques used either to move or layer funds using gaming platforms.
On the first episode of Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were confronted with another hypocrisy: age gaps. And they didn't come out looking good.
SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.
While the IAF remains committed to the Tejas programme and has placed orders for 180 Tejas Mk1A, the force is eagerly waiting for the Tejas Mk 2 version.
What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.
COMMENTS