Indian Gaming Federations Enforce ‘Code Of Ethics’ For Safe, Responsible Play

India’s top gaming industry bodies have introduced a joint ‘Code of Ethics’ to promote responsible gaming for skill-based real-money gaming operators. Released by the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), the guidelines focus on user safety, fair play, and industry accountability.

The Code includes rules like age verification, KYC checks, and spending limits. It also requires independent audits and annual certification for compliance. 

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Gaming companies earning over Rs 100 crore annually must comply within six months, while smaller ones have nine months. The move comes as regulators crack down on illegal offshore gaming platforms.

The new rules will apply to all members of the three gaming federations that offer real-money or skill-based gaming in India. This includes well-known companies like Nazara, Games 24x7, My11Circle, RummyCircle, and Head Digital Works.

Neil Castelino, Director General, FIFS, highlighted the need for a unified standard, “This joint code marks a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a safe, fair, and responsible gaming environment in the country. By working together as an industry, we are setting a unified standard that prioritizes player well-being, integrity and accountability across the industry. This we believe will be pivotal in ensuring a safe environment for the 24 crore FS users in the country.”

Anuraag Saxena, CEO, EGF, said, “National interest, consumer interest, and the industry’s interest have all suffered too long. Unethical gambling operators have been parasitically harming the nation, its exchequer, and its people. I’m delighted that the industry is collaborating on the joint code-of-ethics today. The adoption of these standards reinforces our commitment to accountability through third-party audits, responsible gaming policies, and ethical business practices. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the industry taking due cognizance of this is a great step ahead for gaming in India.”

“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, strengthening the credibility of India’s online gaming sector, and building a sustainable, globally competitive ecosystem,” said Roland Landers, CEO at AIGF.

The framework includes measures to protect player data and ensure responsible fund management. It sets rules for fair play and transparency to build user trust. Players can set financial limits or opt for self-exclusion while tools are in place to identify and support at-risk users. Advertising guidelines aim to prevent misleading promotions and ensure ethical marketing. Compliance will be checked through yearly third-party audits with updates to match industry regulations. 

The code follows an MoU between the federations and ASCI to tackle misleading gambling ads, amid growing scrutiny of offshore betting operators.

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