Self regulatory

Self Regulatory Organisations:  The latest government advisory against advertisements by illegal betting sites issued ahead of the Asia Cup is falling flat as applications for Self Regulatory Organisations (SRO) for the online gaming sector have not been processed.

In its latest advisory, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, while advising TV, print and digital media against taking any ads from betting or surrogate sites told the platforms not to carry any ads that “is in the nature of advertisement or surrogate advertisement or promotion of an online game that is not a permissible online game”.

There are no officially recognised “permissible online games” as the process is still ongoing. In April this year, the Ministry of Electronics and IT announced new regulations for online gaming as an amendment in the IT Rules of 2021. As per the new rules, Self Regulatory organisations (SROs) will approve the games that can operate in the country in accordance with the rules.