Context

The Prime Minister’s vision to establish India as a prominent global gaming hub has received renewed attention as he engaged with seven of the top gamers in the country.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

• Promoting Indian Games & Women’s Inclusion: Some of the key takeaways from the discussion included the opportunity offered by the increasing number of games based on Indian mythology and the scope to encourage the participation of women, besides fostering innovation.
• Gaming Career Perception: The players also highlighted the issue around the perception of gaming as a career in India. 

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Rapid Growth of Online Gaming in India

• Growth in Indian Online Gaming Industry: The online gaming industry in India has seen a rapid expansion of 28% CAGR between FY20 and FY23. Projections indicate further growth to ₹33,243 crore by FY28, with a sustained 15% CAGR. 
• Catalyst for Investment and Employment: This sector not only attracts significant foreign and domestic investments but also generates substantial direct and indirect employment. Leveraging India’s IT prowess, the industry holds natural potential for India. 
• Enormous Growth Potential: Significantly, although the global gaming industry surpassed $300 billion in 2021, surpassing the combined markets of the movie and music industries, the online gaming sector in India only accounts for 1.1% of the global online gaming revenue. Therefore, there is immense potential for expansion.
• India’s Tech and Economic Goals: Online gaming presents a significant multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Indian start-ups and can also serve as a crucial component of ‘India Techade’ and the aspiration for a $1 trillion digital economy.
• Advancements in Gaming Sector: The sector has experienced various favorable advancements, such as the formation of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comic, and Extended Reality. 

Challenges Associated with Online Gaming Industry

• Implementing IT Rules of 2021: Despite the provision of self-regulatory bodies within the IT Rules of 2021 intended to regulate the industry, the effective implementation of these rules is pending, thus nullifying their intended impact.
• Taxation Uncertainty: The gaming industry, especially startups, faces uncertainty due to recent tax changes. 
  • In a meeting held by the Goods and Services Tax Council in July 2023, it was decided to impose a 28% tax rate on the total face value of bets, irrespective of whether the activity is deemed a game of skill or chance.
  • Before this, online gaming firms in India were subjected to an 18% GST rate since the introduction of the indirect tax system in July 2017. 
• Tax Impact on Industry Sustainability: Though initially boosting tax revenue, this measure raises apprehensions about the gaming industry’s long-term viability and its potential impact on job creation within the sector.

Way Forward to the Online Gaming in India

• Leveraging India’s Cultural Heritage: Significant advantage lies in tapping India’s rich cultural heritage (stories, legends, and folklore). 
  • With an increasing number of games inspired by Indian mythology, there is a unique opportunity to cater to domestic and international audiences.
• Promoting Women in Gaming for Diversity:There is a deliberate push to promote women’s involvement in the gaming sector, promoting diversity and inclusivity as perceptions regarding gaming as a viable career choice evolve.
• Importance of Self-Regulation: In an industry driven by innovation and fast-evolving technology, the role of self-regulation is crucial. 
  • NITI Aayog’s discussion paper with draft guiding principles for the online fantasy gaming sector also proposed a self-regulatory model of governance with a self-regulatory organisation at its helm.
• Tapping Talented Individuals: India stands to benefit from a growing pool of talented individuals driving innovation and pushing boundaries in the gaming landscape.

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Conclusion

India stands at the threshold of a transformative era in the gaming industry. By fostering an enabling environment for skill gaming, promoting diversity and inclusion, and capitalising on its rich cultural narratives, India can not only realise its vision of a $1-trillion digital economy.