India, 16th October 2024 – In a groundbreaking move for the online gaming industry, India has launched the first-ever “Skill Games Framework” designed to scientifically classify online games as skill-based. Developed by the esteemed statistician and Padma Shri recipient, Professor Bimal Roy, in collaboration with The Dialogue, this framework provides an objective, data-driven approach to determine which online real money games are permissible under Indian law.
The Skill Games Framework is designed to address the lack of a consistent industry standard in distinguishing between skill-based and chance-based games. While courts have historically relied on qualitative judgments, this new initiative offers a quantitative and transparent methodology backed by scientific tests and real-world gameplay data.
Professor Roy, who is the former Chairperson of the National Statistical Commission, spearheaded this initiative with the aim of offering a robust and reliable tool that developers, regulators, and courts can depend on. “As online gaming continues to grow, we need clarity on the regulations governing these platforms,” said Professor Roy. “This framework not only addresses current challenges but sets the stage for the future of fair and skill-based online gaming in India.”
Key Components of the Framework:
The framework is built around three core statistical tests:
- Persistence of Skill: Measures whether top players consistently perform well, demonstrating that skill plays a decisive role in outcomes.
- Experience Gap: Assesses whether experienced players outperform others, highlighting the influence of skill over chance.
- Exemplary Skill: Identifies top-performing individuals whose success rates prove the game’s reliance on skill.
These tests are supported by advanced statistical tools such as the Chi-Square and Pearson Correlation tests, ensuring precision and reliability in determining whether a game relies on skill.
This first version of the framework is expected to evolve with feedback from the gaming industry, legal experts, and government authorities. It aims to safeguard player interests while ensuring a level playing field for developers in India’s rapidly expanding online gaming market.
The initiative marks a significant step forward in India’s efforts to create clear, data-backed regulations in the world of online real money gaming. As the framework develops, it will become a cornerstone in maintaining integrity, fairness, and innovation in the industry.
Kazim Rizvi, Founding Director of The Dialogue, a prominent voice in India’s tech policy landscape, remarked, “The launch of the Framework marks an important moment for India’s online gaming landscape, which provides a method to empirically classify games of skill. This objective and scientifically validated approach will help regulators distinguish between games of skill and chance, provide guidance to the developers, and subsequently help safeguard players’ interests. It offers the much-needed protection against misleading game classifications and unfair practices, ensuring that players engage in legitimate, skill-based games. We are thankful to have worked alongside Dr. Bimal Roy and other stakeholders to make this a reality.“
The Framework is set to revolutionise the online gaming landscape by providing a clear, consistent, and statistically valid approach to game classification. The blend of legal insights and statistical precision offers a trustworthy method for assessing games promoting fairness, transparency, and integrity in India’s online real-money gaming sector.
“Our framework has three key objectives: First, it extends the existing jurisprudence by offering a quantitative method to distinguish between games of skill and games of chance, allowing for a more precise and objective determination. Second, it serves as a tool to differentiate legitimate platforms from illegitimate ones, ensuring fair competition and consumer protection. Third, it aims to establish an industry standard that can be widely adopted, fostering trust and credibility in the sector,” explains Kriti Singh, Chief of Staff and Programme Manager of Gaming Policy at The Dialogue.
As India’s gaming industry continues its rapid growth, the Framework will play a crucial role in regulating the space, ensuring that only games grounded in skill are legally permitted. Furthermore, the framework’s ongoing development will ensure it remains responsive to industry needs, with future updates reflecting feedback from all stakeholders.
The developers hope for widespread adoption of the framework by self-regulatory bodies and the government.
For more information, visit The Dialogue.
