Need for robust policy framework for promotion of eSports sector: AIGF

With eSports and iGaming gaining traction, there is a need for robust policy frameworks and the creation of digital infrastructure to promote the sector, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has said.

eSports and iGaming, under the umbrella of the digital economy, are set to play a significant role in the Indian economy, the industry body stated in a press release. According to a recent study, the Indian gaming market is poised to reach USD 6-7 billion in value by 2025, up from its current value of USD 1.8 billion.

A push by state governments will act as a catalyst for the growth and development of this nascent sector, the federation said, adding that states need to take a proactive approach by framing appropriate guidelines in this regard, as some high courts have struck down the move to ban online gaming.

“India has more than 200 million e-gamers playing across more than 200 platforms. eSports and e-gaming, under the umbrella of digital economy growth, are going to play an important role in the Indian economy. “To encourage this, the e-gaming industry needs robust policy frameworks and digital infrastructure to foray towards being a global leader,” PK Mishra, president of All India Gaming Federation, said.

Not just in India, it said, the popularity of eSports and its players is gaining recognition internationally. For the first time, eSports will be an official medal category at the upcoming Asian Games in September 2022, joining 37 other sports to be played at the mega international event, the industry body said.

Mobile Premier League founder and CEO Sai Srinivas said, “In various states across India that we continue to expand our footprint and now India is also at a global tipping point in the key global markets”. MPL recently acquired Berlin-based games studio GameDuell.

The recent Karnataka High Court judgment lifting the ban on gaming in the state follows other favourable judgements given by the High Courts of Punjab & Haryana, Rajasthan and Bombay that recognised Fantasy Sports as games of skill and a legitimate business activity protected under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India. In recent years, the All India Gaming Federation has stated that iGaming has been caught in a web, with some states viewing it as a game of chance rather than one of skill.

Now, with the judgment of the Karnataka High Court bringing more clarity, a boost from several states, and a renewed focus on e-gaming, things definitely look far better on multiple fronts – promoting e-gaming, eSports, creating jobs, boosting startups, and accelerating innovation, among others, it noted.