Just this evening, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and IT) met with prominent figures in the Esports and Online Gaming industry of India for the Ministry to take step towards the regulation of said industries. This is the first-ever meeting held by a Central Ministry with Esports and Gaming entrepreneurs and a substantial first step towards regulation.
The purpose of the meeting was for the Ministry to better understand the esports and gaming space and take the first step towards the regulation of the industry. MeitY recognizes the games industry as an “important pillar of the economy”.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, met with over 25 stakeholders in the games and esports industry.
The video game and esports industry in the country has been on the rise, especially in the last couple of years, but that growth has also been mired in controversy and debate surrounding online gambling “games” and services.
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MeitY Meets With 25 Entrepreneurs in the Esports and Gaming Industry
#Gaming industry is expected to be worth over Rs 150 Bn with great opportunities for entrepreneurship & employment. Here's a look into what this industry can shape into – yet another sector which will give a fillip to India's economy. #AatmaNirbharBharat @Rajeev_GoI pic.twitter.com/QCIUvKzjQT
— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) June 7, 2022
Response from gamers and esports enthusiasts has been largely positive, however, there has also been a palpable level of concern regarding the conflation of gambling with the games industry.
— Blank (@TheVivifier) June 8, 2022
The industry is expected to grow by leaps and bounds over the next few years, and thus, regulation has always been inevitable. It will be interesting to see what kind of regulations eventually transpire and if they will result in a positive effect across the games industry.
The esports industry in India has seen immense growth in the last couple of years and tournaments for games like BGMI have showcased the immense potential of the industry. The rise of mobile gaming has been instrumental in the growth of the industry and studios/publishers have responded with plenty of innovation in the space through quality games and services.
