Regulatory Framework for Online Gaming in Tamil Nadu: New Regulations on Real Money Online Games and the Need for Uniformity in India’s Gaming Laws
Title: Tamil Nadu Government Implements Stringent Regulations on Real Money Online Games
The Tamil Nadu Government has taken a proactive stance in regulating online gaming within the state, with a focus on curbing gambling addiction and its societal impact. Following the enactment of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, the government has issued new regulations specifically targeting Real Money Online Games.
Under these regulations, individuals under 18 years of age are prohibited from participating in real money online games. Strict Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is mandatory at the account creation stage, along with Aadhaar verification and OTP authentication. Gaming platforms must display cautionary pop-up messages after an hour of continuous gameplay and provide players with the option to set spending limits.
Furthermore, the regulations include a curfew on real money gaming platforms between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM IST to prevent excessive gameplay during late-night hours. The aim is to protect vulnerable users from financial exploitation and gaming-related mental health concerns.
The new measures align with a broader regulatory trend in India, where states are tightening rules on online gaming to balance economic opportunities with social responsibility. However, the lack of uniformity in gaming laws across states poses challenges for industry stakeholders, necessitating a national framework for regulatory consistency and legal certainty.
The authors, Shruti Khanijow and Darshit Sidhabhatti from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., emphasize the need for a centralised regulatory framework for online real-money gaming to ensure industry sustainability and investor confidence. The recent developments in Tamil Nadu highlight the urgency of regulatory uniformity in India’s online gaming industry to foster a thriving gaming ecosystem and position the country as a competitive player in the global market.
