Ministers group likely to discuss e-gaming on December 15

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

group of ministers (GoM) formed to deliberate on issues related to regulating online gaming is likely to hold its first meeting on December 15, said people with knowledge of the matter.

While the GoM has conducted “a couple of informal meetings” so far, the first official meeting is likely to set the tone for the process of regulating online gaming, with a specific focus on how to effectively tax the sector and avoid “any illegal gambling or betting, especially from off-shore players”, said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.

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“Certain government officials felt that the gaming rules, introduced by MeitY (ministry of electronics and information technology) lacked the legal teeth to ensure enforcement, especially in cases where the gaming companies operate from outside India,” said an official.

ET had reported on November 1 that the government was considering the establishment of a GoM to develop and oversee a comprehensive regulatory framework for the online gaming industry.

The proposed GoM was expected to include home minister Amit Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur.

In the meetings of the GoM conducted so far, the issue of money laundering by certain gaming companies has also been raised, said another official.

“The illegalities uncovered so far in the Mahadev betting app will not be an isolated