Gaming Industry Federations Unite to Enforce Strict Code of Ethics

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India’s top gaming industry federations have introduced a mandatory Code of Ethics (CoE) to regulate real-money gaming platforms. The initiative is led by the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS).

Nearly 200 real-money gaming companies are expected to adopt this framework to implement user safety, responsible gaming, and ethical advertising standards. The federations emphasized that the CoE is based on global best practices and mandates strict compliance across the industry.

Key Guidelines Under the Code of Ethics

The CoE establishes comprehensive guidelines to ensure accountability and player safety. Some of the primary requirements include:

• Age-Gating and KYC Compliance: Platforms must implement strict age-verification mechanisms to prevent minors from accessing real-money games.
• User Protection Measures: Operators must offer players the ability to self-exclude, set spending limits, and receive regular gaming activity notifications.
• Ethical Advertising Practices: All promotions must be transparent and must not mislead users with exaggerated claims.
• Management of Player Funds: Companies must ensure the security of deposited funds and provide clear refund policies.
• Third-Party Audits and Certifications: The federations will conduct independent audits annually to ensure compliance.
• Restricted Market Operations: Platforms must ensure that games do not operate in states where real-money gaming is prohibited.
• Player Safeguards: Operators must incorporate tools to identify and assist at-risk players to promote responsible gaming.

Gaming companies earning ₹100 crore or more annually must comply within six months, while those below the threshold have nine months to implement the framework. Upon compliance, companies will receive a one-year renewable certification following an independent audit. The framework will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Industry Leaders on the Code of Ethics

AIGF CEO Roland Landers stated, “This Code of Ethics reinforces our commitment to fair play, compliance with Indian laws, and fostering a secure and responsible gaming environment. Through collaboration with other industry federations, we are setting new benchmarks for ethical gaming.”

Neil Castelino, Director General of FIFS, emphasized the need for a unified standard. He said, “By working together as an industry, we are prioritizing player well-being, integrity, and accountability across the sector. This will be pivotal in ensuring a safe environment for the 24 crore fantasy sports users in the country.”

EGF CEO Anuraag Saxena commented, “Unethical gambling operators have been harming the nation, its exchequer, and its people for too long. The adoption of these standards strengthens our commitment to accountability through third-party audits, responsible gaming policies, and ethical business practices.”

Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook

The initiative follows previous voluntary ethical gaming agreements signed in December 2023. It also aligns with Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority’s (TNOGA) recent regulations on time limits and age restrictions for real-money gaming.

AIGF, EGF, and FIFS had previously signed a voluntary Code of Ethics in December 2023, but it was not mandatory for their members. The new framework is a separate initiative, jointly formulated by the three federations, and includes stricter compliance measures.

Additionally, the federations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to address concerns over misleading betting and gambling advertisements by offshore entities.

The federations stated that non-compliant companies may face penalties ranging from formal warnings to expulsion from industry bodies. The CoE will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and address new challenges in online gaming.

With India’s gaming industry generating $3.8 billion in revenue in FY24, of which $2.4 billion came from real-money gaming, the move is seen as a significant step towards creating a regulated and ethical gaming ecosystem. The industry is projected to exceed $9.2 billion in revenue by FY29, growing at a 20% CAGR over the next five years.

The federations remain committed to working alongside regulators to ensure a sustainable, responsible, and globally competitive gaming environment in India.

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