Mumbai: In a landmark move to promote safe and responsible gaming, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) have jointly adopted a ‘Code of Ethics’ (CoE) for skill-based real-money gaming operators in India.
The CoE establishes strict industry-wide standards to ensure user safety, fair gaming, and responsible advertising while mandating annual third-party audits and transparent reporting mechanisms. The framework aligns with global best practices and will safeguard over 50 crore Indian gamers by enforcing age verification, stringent KYC processes, spending limits, and self-exclusion options.
Gaming operators with annual revenue exceeding ₹100 crores must implement the Code within six months, while those below the threshold will have nine months to comply. Upon successful adoption, federations will issue a renewable one-year certification post third-party audits.
Key Principles of the Code of Ethics:
- Responsible Gaming : Age gating, compliance with restricted state regulations, and robust KYC measures.
- Player Protection : Secure handling of user data and responsible management of player funds.
- Fair Play : Ensuring integrity and fairness in gameplay.
- Transparency : Providing players with clear and accurate information.
- Informed Decision-Making : Self-exclusion tools and spending limit settings for responsible gaming.
- Support for At-Risk Players : Assistance tools for vulnerable users.
- Ethical Advertising : Restriction of misleading promotions.
Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation, emphasized the importance of ethical gaming practices, “As the largest and oldest industry association, we at AIGF believe that a thriving gaming industry must be built on the pillars of responsibility, transparency, innovation, and player protection. 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.”
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, underscored the need for industry self-regulation: “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.”
The CoE follows the joint MoU signed by AIGF, FIFS, and EGF with ASCI to curb illegal offshore betting and gambling advertisements, further strengthening India’s commitment to user safety and responsible gaming practices.
