To make it easier for online gaming industry to do business, the Union government is in discussion to bring all the companies under one regulatory framework that will help remove state-level laws that are currently government the sector, Mint said in a report on February 20.
The newspaper said the home ministry has a formed a panel to find a way forward. The committee has its officials, legal and policy experts and top gaming industry executives, the report said.
Mint said the panel, as part of its early discussions, has debated whether a new law distinguishing gambling from gaming is required despite the Supreme Court laying out that distinction.
The government recognizes the growth potential the gaming sector has, Mint said citing sources.
Earlier, Moneycontrol had reported that the new Income Tax Bill, tabled in Parliament last week, is set to provide a clearer definition of online games.
The new bill, unlike the Income Tax Act, 1961, defines 'online game' distinctly and streamlines the tax treatment, to reflect growing prominence of digital gaming in India.
Last week, the Tamil Nadu government had notified the rules set by Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) for online real-money games, which seeks to regulate the growing industry.
Under the new rules, the gaming platforms will have to impose 'blank hours' between midnight and 5 am, disabling login during these restricted five hours.
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