ONLINE GAME AND BAN BY GOVT
## Key Points from the Newspaper Article
- **Headline:** OMG! Don’t Bet On Bans
- The article discusses the impact of government bans on online money games (OMG) and gambling in India.
- **Overview of Online Gaming & Gambling:**
- Nearly one in five games worldwide is now an online money game.
- The industry is growing rapidly; India is a major market and a leader in the global expansion.
- **Government Regulation:**
- The government is considering or implementing bans on online money games.
- The article argues that banning online money games won’t end gambling; it will only lead to changes in how and where it occurs.
- **Market Scale:**
- Over 155 million Indians are logged into OMG platforms.
- Indians spend about 110 million play-hours daily.
- Dream11, a leading platform, claims 220 million subscribers—more than the total demat accounts in India.
- **Financial Impact:**
- Dream11 alone claims 44% market share of real-money gaming.
- The market generates significant revenue and engagement.
- **Industry Insights:**
- India has nearly 1,000 gaming firms with thousands of employees.
- The industry includes casual games, esports, and fantasy sports.
- Casual and social gaming contribute majorly to global gaming revenues.
- **Trends & Predictions:**
- The article suggests that bans won’t stop gaming; users and capital may simply move to offshore or illegal platforms.
- There's a shift towards regulation over outright bans, focusing on responsible gaming and consumer protection.
- **Comparison with Banking:**
- Online gaming subscriber numbers already outstrip demat and bank accounts, indicating the scale and growth.
In summary, the article highlights the booming online money gaming industry in India, the challenges and possible ineffectiveness of government bans, and the need for regulation rather than prohibition.
Source the times of india