Questions On Potential Esports and Gaming Policies Discussed In The Indian Parliament: Gaming or Gambling?
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Several questions on esports and gaming in India were answered by the Minister of State For Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijju.
- The Indian government talked about esports for the first time; stating its legitimacy as a discipline in esports.
Recently, the issue of online gaming and esports was raised in the Lok Sabha. On February 4th, in the questions session at the Lok Sabha, The Indian Minister of State For Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, answered the questions about gaming and esports policy. He spoke about esports legitimacy within the country; stating that - esports is an emerging platform for the youth with a large number of esports enthusiasts in the country. The minister also acknowledged that the government is mindful of the differences between gaming and gambling. Further, he bought to the notice that officially there are no recognized institutions/governing bodies been established particularly for esports.
A list of questions was asked to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports by a Member of Parliament from BJP Sh. Jagdmbika Pal regarding “Gaming and e-Sports Policy” in India.
QUESTIONS RAISED AT THE LOK SABHA:
1. Whether the Government has any plan to introduce Gaming and e-Sports Policy in the country and if so, the details thereof.
Answer: e-Sports is an emerging platform for the youth population in the country. There are large numbers of e-Sports enthusiasts in our country. It is included in Asian Games 2022 as a medal sports discipline but not yet included in the Olympics.
2. Whether the Government has any plans to bring esports and gaming in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and if so, the details thereof.
Answer: Indian Government acknowledges that e-Sports is different from gaming, gaming, or gambling, etc. as the former is skill-based while the latter is chance-based. In India, there are some Federations such as Electronic Sports Federation of India (ESFI), E-sports Development Association of India (EDAI), and E-sports India (EI), which have emerged for the promotion of e-Sports. Currently, no Federations/Associations have been recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
3. Whether the Government have any estimates on the size/value of the gaming industry in India and if so, the details thereof.
Answer: “Sports” being a State subject, the primary responsibility for the development and promotion of sports rests with the respective State/UT Government. The Department of Sports supplements the efforts of the State/UT Government through its various schemes. Presently, there is no proposal under consideration to bring sports and gaming to the concurrent list.
4. Whether the Government has any plans or taken any steps to regulate/curb illegal gaming, betting, and gambling in India, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor.
Answer: Betting and Gambling is a State Subject (Entry at serial number 34 in the List II- State List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India), therefore, the State authorities are responsible to regulate/curb illegal gaming, betting, and gambling in their respective States. The Law Commission in its Report No. 276 titled “ Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including Cricket in India” submitted to the Government on 5th July 2018, stated that legalizing betting and gambling is not desirable in India in the present scenario.
5. Whether the Government has taken any steps or has any plan to introduce educational gaming and if so, the details thereof.
Answer: As regards the estimated value/size of the Gaming Industry in India, no such study has been carried out by the Government.
Is It A Big Win For the Indian Esports Community?
This is the first time that the Indian government has talked about esports. Addressing the main issues, they have mentioned that there isn’t any governing body particularly formed to look out for esports policy in India. However, the discussion on the topic has opened up the gates of opportunity and support for all our digital athletes in the future.
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