SRINAGAR: The Indian government has strengthened regulations around online gaming by introducing a thirty per cent tax on net winnings and a twenty-eight per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming transactions. These measures, alongside stringent data protection laws, aim to ensure financial transparency and safeguard user information in the rapidly expanding sector.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, now mandates gaming platforms to implement robust security measures. Additionally, the Information Technology Act, 2000, lays down penalties for cyber offences, including financial fraud and identity theft. While the Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to combat cyber fraud, the government has not maintained specific records on financial malpractice or data breaches in online gaming.
To address concerns about gaming addiction, the Ministry of Education has issued advisories for parents and teachers, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed private broadcasters to ensure advertisements carry appropriate disclaimers about financial risks and addictive behaviour. The government continues to monitor developments in the sector, with state law enforcement agencies responsible for handling cybercrimeJand complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
