The digital gaming industry in India is evolving rapidly and so is the need for structured compliance and responsible gaming practices. With the release of the Responsible Gaming Framework on 14th July 2024 at the 98th SKOCH Summit, India took a bold step towards establishing a structured compliance model that addresses the complexities of this burgeoning sector. Just two months after its release, early indicators suggest that the industry has started responding positively, moving the needle in the right direction. This feature explores the framework’s development, the initial survey findings and what lies ahead for digital gaming in India.

Creating a Groundbreaking Framework

The Responsible Gaming Framework is a pioneering effort that places India among the few countries actively developing robust compliance models for digital gaming. After reviewing frameworks from seven major economies—the UK, USA, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, and India—the research team built a comprehensive structure of 74 indicators. These indicators cover a wide range of parameters, from player protection and responsible marketing to mental health support and ethical conduct.
The methodology involved multiple rounds of stakeholder discussions over a span of six months, drawing participants from government bodies, academia, industry leaders and human rights organisations. It was clear from the beginning that to create a meaningful impact, the framework needed to go beyond traditional compliance and addresses the unique aspects of India’s diverse digital ecosystem.

The Needle is Moving

When the Responsible Gaming Framework was first released in July 2024, the industry’s reaction was mixed. With only a short period to adapt to the new compliance standards, many expected initial results to be modest. However, the first SKOCH survey results, covering 30 leading gaming apps, have been surprisingly encouraging.

Tech Compliance 39%

Quality of Compliance, a more nuanced measure that looks at the real-world impact and effectiveness of policies, came in at 20%.

These initial scores suggest that while there is room for improvement, the industry is already taking proactive steps to align with the framework’s guidelines. Given the limited time frame of just two months, this baseline data is a promising start. It shows that companies are beginning to put systems in place to address critical areas like age restrictions, grievance redressal, and responsible marketing.

The positive trend is expected to continue, especially as the industry gets more comfortable with the framework’s requirements and as companies receive feedback from regulators and the SKOCH team.

A Call for Greater Industry Participation

While the initial findings are encouraging, it is crucial to emphasise that these are just the first steps. The framework evaluates compliance on two levels: Technical Compliance, which focuses on the existence of policies and systems; and, Quality of Compliance, which looks at the robustness and effectiveness of these systems.

One area where more industry participation is needed is in answering and rating the qualitative aspects of compliance. For instance, while many companies have basic measures in place to prevent underage gaming, the quality and enforcement of these measures can vary significantly. Similarly, ethical conduct and mental health policies are areas where compliance is low, not necessarily because companies are unwilling, but because they lack clarity on how to implement these standards effectively.

By participating in the ongoing evaluation process, companies can help fine-tune the framework, making it more comprehensive and practical. This collaborative approach is vital for ensuring that the Responsible Gaming Framework becomes a living document that evolves with industry needs.

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Alphabetical List of Digital Games Covered for the Baseline Survey

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OTT is the Most Responsible, Digital Astrology is the Least

A recent compliance study by SKOCH Group covering 30 gaming apps, 25 astrology apps and 14 OTT platforms reveals significant differences in responsible practices. The evaluation, using both quantitative metrics and qualitative researcher opinions, highlights the need for better regulatory standards across these segments.

OTT platforms performed best, with 71% in Technical Compliance and 41% in Quality of Compliance, excelling in content classification, user protection and transparency. They achieved 100% compliance in critical areas like device neutrality and IPR protection.

Digital Astrology fared the worst, scoring only 14% in Technical Compliance and 6% in Quality of Compliance. Key gaps include the absence of age restrictions, credit restrictions, and mental health safeguards, making it the least responsible category.

Online Real Money Gaming (RMG) fell between the two, with 39% in Technical Compliance and 20% in Quality of Compliance. While RMG has strong measures for age restrictions and grievance redressal, it shares similar weaknesses in credit restrictions and mental health policies, indicating a need for stricter standards across the industry.

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Disclaimer:

• *Compliance refers to voluntary adherence to certain standards or best practices, where following the rules is not legally required but recommended to maintain reputational integrity and meet industry benchmarks.
• All technical compliance ratings are based on what is visible on the app. All Qualitative ratings are subjective opinions of SKOCH researchers who have a backdround in either law or economics.
• All Trademarks are properties of their respective owners.