Ensuring Safe & Accountable Internet 🌐
🔹 Objective: Open, Safe, Trusted, & Accountable Internet
🔹 Focus Areas:
✅ Regulation of financial transactions
✅ User data protection
✅ Regulation of online gaming platforms
Taxation & Financial Regulations in Online Gaming 💰
🟢 Income Tax (Finance Act, 2023)
✔️ 30% tax on net winnings in online games (effective AY 2024-25)
🟢 Goods & Services Tax (GST) ✔️ 28% GST on online gaming (effective 1st Oct 2023)
✔️ Suppliers of online money gaming → Must register under the Simplified Registration Scheme (IGST Act, 2017)
✔️ Offshore online gaming platforms → Also regulated under IGST Act
🟢 Enforcement (IGST & IT Act)
✔️ Directorate General of GST Intelligence empowered to block unregistered offshore gaming platforms
Legal Framework for Betting & Gambling ⚖️
🔹 State Subject (Entry 34, List II – Seventh Schedule)
✔️ State Legislatures → Have the power to regulate betting & gambling
✔️ Police & Public Order → Also state responsibilities for law enforcement
🔹 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) (Effective 1st July 2024)
✔️ Unauthorized betting & gambling punishable with 1-7 years imprisonment + fine
🔹 Central Government Support:
✔️ Provides advisories & financial assistance to State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for combating illegal betting & gambling
Data Protection & Cybersecurity 🔐
🟢 Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
✔️ Legal framework for data protection
✔️ Data Fiduciaries’ obligations → Implement security measures while processing personal data
🟢 IT Act Provisions & Cybercrime Penalties ⚠️
✔️ Offenses Covered:
🔸 Tampering with computer source documents
🔸 Fraudulent system damage
🔸 Identity theft & impersonation
🔸 Cyber terrorism & unauthorized system access
✔️ Blocking Orders (IT Act & 2009 Rules)
➡️ MeitY has issued 1410 blocking directions (2022-2025) for online betting/gambling/gaming websites & apps
Cybercrime Control & Public Assistance 🚔
🟢 Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) – Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
✔️ Framework for LEAs to combat cybercrime
🟢 National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)
✔️ Platform for reporting cyber frauds
✔️ Complaints routed to State/UT LEAs
🟢 Toll-Free Helpline: 1930 📞
✔️ For assistance in cybercrime complaints
🟢 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 📊
✔️ Publishes annual cybercrime statistics (Crime in India report)
Regulating Online Gaming Addiction & Advertisements 🎭
🟢 Ministry of Education Advisory 📢
✔️ Guidance for parents & teachers on gaming addiction risks
🟢 Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Advisory 🖥️
✔️ Issued to TV channels on gaming advertisements
✔️ Compliance with Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines
✔️ Mandatory disclaimers on financial risks & addiction potential
India’s Commitment to a Safe Digital Ecosystem 🇮🇳
✅ Strong financial & regulatory framework for online gaming
✅ Robust cybersecurity measures & public safety initiatives
✅ Empowered law enforcement & legal mechanisms for compliance
Source: PIB
