Online Games

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

.

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

China OKs 105 online games in gesture of support after curbs trigger losses

China's press and publications authority has approved 105 new online games, saying it fully supports the industry after proposed curbs caused massive losses last week for investors in major games makers. The National Press and Publication Administration issued a statement on its WeChat social media account Monday saying the approvals by the Game Working Committee of China Music and Digital Association were positive signals that support the prosperity and healthy development of the online game industry. Tencent's Counter War: Future and NetEase's Firefly Assault were among games approved. Draft guidelines for curbs on online gaming had caused share prices of video game makers like Tencent and Netease to plunge on Friday, causing losses of tens of billions of dollars and dragging Chinese benchmarks lower. The administration's guidelines said online games would be banned from offering incentives for daily log-ins or purchases. Other restrictions include limiting how much users can ...

Tencent leads $80 billion rout as China gaming curbs revive crackdown fears

The top gaming regulator on Friday published draft rules broadly designed to clamp down on practices that encourage players to spend more money and time online

IT rules ensure safeguards for children against online gaming harms: Meity

Meity's reply stated that an Inter-Ministerial Task Force for Online Gaming Regulation (IMTF) was constituted by the Respondent/MeitY in May 2022

Cashing in on a new addiction: mobile games

Creating an engaging game is difficult. But more difficult is to get consumer to download the app & engage with it. In this re­gard, the gaming firms in India have done the impossible in short period

Actor Ranbir Kapoor summoned by ED in Mahadev online betting app case

Several Bollywood actors are also under the Enforcement Directorate's scanner for their involvement in the Mahadev online betting case

Govt may shelve self-regulation plan if egames majors dominate SRBs

SRBs must have experts in education, psychology, and child rights, according to government

Google Play to allow real money games certified by SRBs as per IT rules

As per a console page of Google Play, it currently allows only valid licensed or authorised gambling apps in categories like online casino games, sports betting, horse racing