Online gaming companies seek clarity from states on new rules

But the states have the power to regulate or even ban online gaming within their own jurisdictions. This has led to some uncertainty in the industry, as companies are not sure whether their games will be allowed in all states.

The industry associations are concerned that some states, such as Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, and Telangana, may ban online gaming altogether. These states have a history of being strict on gambling and betting, and they may not be willing to allow online gaming even if it is permissible under central rules.

The industry associations are planning to reach out to the governments of these states to try to clarify the situation. They are also hoping that the central government will take steps to ensure that online gaming is regulated in a uniform manner across all states.

It is still too early to say what the outcome of these discussions will be. However, the industry associations are hopeful that they will be able to resolve the uncertainty and ensure that online gaming can continue to grow in India.

Here are some additional details about the new rules for online gaming in India:

• Real money gaming will be allowed, but only for games that do not involve wagering on an outcome.
• The government has left it to the self-regulatory organisations (SROs) to decide what will constitute wagering.
• The SROs are expected to be notified soon.
• The industry associations are concerned that some states may not accept the SROs' definition of wagering.

It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months. The online gaming industry is a rapidly growing sector in India, and it is important that the regulatory framework is clear and consistent.