More Revenues From Regulation And Better Economic Growth For The State Possible With A Farsighted Policy On Skilled Online Gaming, Say Experts

Is Karnataka game for the future – a future that involves the creation of game development hub in the state, a future that involves appropriate regulation, and a flourishing enduser market?

That was the question addressed at the panel discussion conducted by the All India Gaming Federation. (AIGF) – in association with the TOI and Vijay Karnataka, on Friday. Representing the legal position, for mer Supreme Court judge and former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Vikramajeet Sen pointed out that constitutionally, entertainment falls under the State list “If (skilled online gaming) is regulated, the fallout will be taxation – and it will be monumental taxation,” he said. The form of taxation, he said could be under ‘trades and callings’ or just straight tax on entertainment, with the implication that the state’s could benefit tremendously by regulating and taxing this activity. He also highlighted the Gumber case (Varun Gumber vs the UT of Chandigarh), which ruled that fantasy sports were not gambling as they required a significant degree of skill to play, as precedent.

“Technology and innovation will always precede regulation,” said Shwetha Rajpal Kohli, director & head of public policy, Sequoia India & South East Asia. “And this sometimes leads to knee jerk reactions by policymakers.” In that context, it becomes important to understand the landscape and the numbers when it comes to online gaming, she said. “It’s exciting that India is one of the top 5 mobile gaming markets in the world. Game development is a sunrise sector – its poised to grow and it is at an inflection point,” she said, while emphasizing that good policymaking would be crucial for this growth.

“Policies need to be living documents,” said Biren Ghose, Chair, CII National Committee on AVGC & Immersive Media & President – Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI) & Country Head – Technicolor India. He talked about the work done for gaming giants like Electronic Arts, UbiSoft and Square Enix out of Bengaluru. “What we need to do is answer a set of questions for the ITBT,” he said. “Are all online games betting or gambling platforms? Do these platforms manipulate technology to ensure users don’t win? Are they addictive and take players down the wrong path? Which body handle grievance redressal? How will unethical behaviour be penalized? How will customers’ KYC be verified?”

“The AIGF has a skill games charter, which is based on integrity, legality, global best practices and good gover nance,” said Roland Landers, the CEO of the All India Gaming Federation. “There is also an advisory committee which is made of people bringing in expertise in an array of fields – sportspersons, legal experts, educationists, psychologists and other medical professionals.”

Responding to a question about the impact of an outright ban on skilled gaming, Ghose expressed his confidence that Karnataka would come out with a farsighted policy, while Kohli said that “If one of the strongest tech hubs in the world goes as far out as to ban an emerging technology, would be many steps backward – in terms of perception and international headlines.”

Source: www.gameforfuture.com

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