After news about the exit of unicorns MPL and Games24x7 from FIFS, both the companies along with Dream11 issued a joint statement stating that there is no disagreement between them. As exclusively reported by G2G, MyTeam11, a Jaipur based fantasy games operator was the first to exit the self-regulatory body weeks ago.
“As the online gaming industry matures, there are active discussions amongst various members to have a common platform/association that is representative of the entire industry and can articulate the views and concerns of this sunrise sector. In this context, prominent online gaming operators are contemplating the constitution of a single industry-wide entity that can represent the sector. There is no dissension in any way between Games24x7, MPL and Dream11. On the contrary, we are all undertaking a collaborative exercise to create a unified gaming association, and all our actions are towards that goal,” Games24x7, MPL and Dream11, stated according to a report on Financial Express.
The standard practice of fantasy gaming (how Dream11 also works) is that users have to make a team before the game starts. This format is upheld as a game of skill by the Supreme Court. However, few platforms are trying new formats such as allowing users to join the game in the second innings, users can play over-wise contest (six over or 10 over) and not the whole game, trump player along with the captain and vice-captain, users can have veto power of selecting only five players rather than 11, among others.
According to reports, differences arose among the members on members taking up new formats and deviating from the Supreme Court upheld format.
“There was no distinction between the FIFS body and the founding member,” an industry stakeholder was quoted by Financial Express. The joint statement appears to paint an all is well picture while something is not clearly alright with the self regulatory body.
Incidentally, Games24x7and MPL are already members of other regulatory bodies such as the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and E-Gaming Federation (EGF). AIGF already has broad scope under its charter and can be a single sector body representing the industry. Another self regulatory body will only complicate the matters when representing to government authorities.
Claims of discontent among the three been denied by the three gaming companies. “I was on the board of FIFS and I wanted to focus on my company MyTeam11. This is the reason why MyTeam11 left the FIFS,” Vinit Godara, CEO, MyTeam11, told the Financial Express. This is not the first time companies have left FIFS. In past few years, Gameskraft’s fantasy sports app- Gamezy, Baazi Games and PlayerzPot, have left the FIFS while remaining majority operators are members of AIGF.