Google to continue real money games on Play Store
Google has announced that it will be extending a grace period for a year-long pilot project set to conclude by the end of September; the new deadline is January 2024
Having come under strain following the imposition of a 28% GST on several forms of gaming, including real money gaming and certain fantasy sports leagues, the Indian gaming ecosystem got a slight reprieve when Google announced that it would be extending a grace period for a year-long pilot project set to conclude by the end of September. The project has now been extended to January 2024.
As per the project, India-based real money game apps of daily fantasy sports and rummy would be allowed on Google's popular app store on a pilot basis from 28th September 2022 to 28th September 2023 ‘in order to explore possible updates to the Other Real-Money Games, Contests, and Tournament Apps policy’.
Since then, the online gaming ecosystem in the country has seen a slew of changes instituted by the central government to help regulate the burgeoning industry. The revisions to the IT (Intermediary Rules and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 with regard to the online gaming industry proposed in January of 2023 emphasize the constitution of a self-regulatory body (SRO), which would be registered with the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeITy) with a focus on light-touch regulation.
According to a statement from a Google spokesperson, “We intend to enable distribution on Google Play for all Self Regulatory Bodies (SRB) verified online real money games that comply with our policies. We are closely tracking all developments in this regard to determine next steps and timelines. As we await the planned implementation of the SRB framework for verification of permissible online real-money games in India, we are providing a grace period to existing pilot apps to remain on Google Play until Jan 15, 2024 (subject to continued compliance with the pilot program terms).”
Gaming is seen as one of India’s sunrise sectors, driving employment for vast numbers of youth, IT and creative professionals, from streamers and engineers to professional e-athletes. The recently published e4m- GroupM ESP Online Gaming Report 2023 states that the gaming market in India is set to witness a rise from Rs 20,800 crore in the fiscal year 2022 to Rs 68,800 crore in the fiscal year 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%.
