India’s gaming federations adopt ‘Code of Ethics’ for user safety

March 10, 2025

India’s gaming federations adopt ‘Code of Ethics’ for user safety

India’s industry bodies representing online real money gaming companies—All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS)—have jointly introduced a Code of Ethics (CoE) to strengthen responsible gaming practices and ensure user safety. This move mandates gaming companies to implement strict security and compliance measures, including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, spending limits, data protection, age restrictions, and ethical advertising.

Some of the major gaming platforms covered under this initiative include Dream11, My11Circle, Khelo Fantasy Live, SG11 Fantasy, WinZO, Games24X7, and Junglee Games.

“The CoE is aimed at enforcing consistent standards of user safety across the industry through the implementation of responsible gaming and advertising policies and mandates annual third-party audits and comprehensive reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency,” the three organisations said in a statement.

Key guidelines

Under this framework, gaming companies must adopt KYC norms to verify users’ identities, ensuring that only eligible players participate. The code also introduces spending limits to prevent excessive financial losses, along with tools to detect and assist at-risk players. Companies must provide clear information about game rules, policies, and fair play mechanisms, helping users make informed choices.

To prevent minors from engaging in online real-money gaming, platforms will be required to implement strict age-gating systems, barring users under the age of 18. Another key focus is data protection, where gaming companies must ensure the security and confidentiality of users’ personal and financial information. Additionally, all platforms will need to adhere to ethical advertising guidelines, preventing misleading promotions or aggressive marketing tactics targeting vulnerable players.

Roland Landers, CEO at All India Gaming Federation said, “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,” he further added.

Certification process

The implementation of timeline varies based on company revenue. Gaming platforms generating more than ₹100 crore ($12 million) annually must comply within six months, while companies earning less than this threshold have nine months to adopt the guidelines.

“Upon successful adoption, federations will issue a certification valid for one year which shall be renewable annually upon completion of a third-party independent audit. The code will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement,” the statement said.

This is not the first time India’s gaming federations have introduced self-regulation measures. In December 2023, AIGF, EGF, FIFS, and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) had established a voluntary Code of Ethics, which encouraged platforms to provide self-exclusion features, responsible gaming awareness campaigns, and fair play policies. The latest CoE, however, makes compliance mandatory and introduces a formal monitoring system, increasing accountability across the industry.

State governments tighten regulations

State governments are tightening regulations on online gaming. Recently, the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) introduced new rules to regulate gaming behaviour. The TNOGA mandates KYC verification at registration, bans players below 18 years of age, and enforces pop-up warnings for users who spend extended periods on gaming platforms. These pop-ups will be displayed every 30 minutes if a player remains active for more than an hour, reminding them to take breaks and play responsibly.