Gaming industry warns of over two lakh job losses, urges government to review draft Bill – The Economic Times

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The web gaming trade has raised alarm that the federal government’s proposed Invoice in search of to ban all actual cash video games, together with these primarily based on ability, may lead to large job losses and closure of corporations.

Business our bodies have written to House Minister Amit Shah urging pressing intervention to guard accountable Indian gaming platforms.

In a joint letter, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF) and the Federation of India Fantasy Sports activities (FIFS) stated that the Invoice, if handed, would “destroy over 2 lakh jobs, lead to over 400 corporations shutting down, and weaken India’s place as a digital innovator.”

The our bodies pressured that the transfer would strike a “loss of life knell” for a reputable, fast-growing sector that has been contributing considerably to the economic system.

The trade highlighted that on-line ability gaming is a dawn sector with an enterprise valuation of over Rs 2 lakh crores, producing Rs 31,000 crores in annual income and contributing greater than Rs 20,000 crores in taxes.

It has been rising at 20 per cent CAGR and is predicted to double by 2028. India’s on-line players grew from 36 crores in 2020 to greater than 50 crores in 2024, whereas international direct funding within the sector crossed Rs 25,000 crores until June 2022.

The letter warned that shutting down regulated Indian platforms would push crores of customers into the fingers of unlawful matka networks, offshore playing web sites, and unregulated operators.

These entities, the trade cautioned, function with out client safeguards, taxation, or accountability, posing dangers of fraud, exploitation, and nationwide safety threats.

“Sir, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of younger entrepreneurs, builders, and professionals working in India’s dawn digital ability gaming sector, we write to you with the deepest respect and gravest concern concerning the information experiences in regards to the draft Invoice that seeks to ban all actual cash video games, together with these primarily based on ability,” the trade our bodies acknowledged.

They added that 1000’s of startups, engineers, and content material creators depend on this ecosystem for his or her livelihoods, and a blanket prohibition would kill future alternatives.

The federations urged the federal government to contemplate progressive regulation as an alternative of prohibition, noting that the trade has the potential to turn out to be one of many cornerstones of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of a USD 1 trillion digital economic system.

Additionally they requested an pressing assembly with Amit Shah’s workplace to current their case and recommend options that guarantee accountable gaming whereas safeguarding customers.

“Together with your steerage, India can set a world instance by constructing a secure, clear, and thriving digital gaming ecosystem,” the letter concluded.

The federal government prepares to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of On-line Gaming Invoice, 2025.

The Invoice, to be moved by Electronics and Data Know-how Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeks to ascertain a national-level framework to manage the net gaming sector, whereas prohibiting cash video games that function throughout states or from international jurisdictions.


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