Fair game

Govt should not overregulate the gaming industry

The draft rules for online gaming, which the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released this week, are open for public comment. These will be incorporated into the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, after considering feedback and making amendments. Sites and mobile apps offering online gaming will be treated as intermediaries. The key proposals include what is described as a self-regulatory mechanism, as well as mandatory know-your-customer (KYC) norms, and a grievance redress mechanism. In addition, the rules propose to outlaw betting. The self-regulatory body or bodies will have a board of directors