The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has asked its member organizations offering real money games (RMGs) interested in becoming member (Online Gaming Intermediary) of the self-regulatory body (SRB) to revert with a signed copy of the letter sent to them by Thursday, June 8.
All interested companies are also to provide a reasoning on why they want to become a member. This will finalize the process of applying for recognition as a Self-Regulatory Body with the Ministry for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The applications seemingly verify the company’s intent to become a member of the SRB formed by the AIGF called All India Online Gaming Regulatory Council, or better called as Bharat Online Gaming Association, along with relevant company details for further verification.
The letter requests MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) to approve the application of AIGF members to form a full-fledged SRB to verify online real money games under the latest amendments to the Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023.
Recently, AIGF also released a draft model charter for online gaming SRB explaining all the workings and important steps that will be undertaken under the new IT rules 2023. Only real money games or online games under the new rules will be given membership as covered in an earlier post regarding the SRB draft model charter by AIGF.
Wagering not allowed for games under draft model
Under the drafted model inclusion of only those games that consist of no wagering is allowed. Online Gaming Intermediaries are required to have proper communication regarding policies, grievance redressal mechanism, and should perform proper due diligence.
Details for another SRO being formed by e-gaming federation (EGF) and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) are still awaited. However, reports suggest that details regarding setting up of the SRBs/SROs will be submitted to MeitY by Monday, June 11. If true, we might soon hear the details on the remaining SRBs.