For example, in August 2021, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) issued new guidelines for advertising of online gaming and fantasy sports, including requirements for responsible advertising, avoiding misleading claims, and ensuring age and identity verification of users. These advertising related obligations are in line with recent trends towards increased regulation of online gambling and betting activities. The amendments also require advertisers to verify the registration of the Online Gaming Intermediary (OGI) offering the game and to ensure that the advertisement complies with the SRB’s guidelines. The amendments require that advertisements for online real money games include a disclaimer indicating that users must be over 18 years old and that the game involves financial risk. In addition to the requirements for intermediaries, the gaming amendments also introduce new obligations for advertisers.

In this essay, we will examine the key changes introduced by the amendments and their implications. These amendments, which are intended to regulate the online gaming industry, have far-reaching implications for intermediaries, Self-regulatory Bodies (SRBs), and Online Gaming Operators.

The amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 have been the subject of much discussion and controversy since their introduction.

New online gaming law