The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has submitted crucial recommendations to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) regarding the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025. With over 400 million online gamers in India, these recommendations aim to balance data security, compliance ease, and business sustainability, ensuring that poker, real-money gaming (RMG), and e-sports platforms thrive in a secure and transparent environment.
Why Does This Matters for Online Poker and Gaming?
Online gaming platforms, such as gambling sites and real-money gaming (RMG) platforms, are required to adhere to rigorous regulations amid mounting concerns regarding data privacy, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory compliance. All India Gaming Federation’s objective is to guarantee that the DPDP framework is balanced, practical, and conducive to development, thereby preventing the imposition of unnecessary compliance burdens on both established platforms and gaming startups..
Online Gaming & Poker Industry: 2024-2025 Key Insights
| Category | Details (2024-2025) |
| Market Size | ₹220 billion (2023) → Projected ₹388 billion (2026) |
| Growth Rate (CAGR) | 20.7% annual growth expected |
| Total Gamers | 425 million (2nd largest after China) |
| Employment | 100,000 jobs (Expanding to 250,000 by 2025) |
| Investments | ₹22,931 crore (FY20-FY24 YTD) |
| RMG Market Share | 82.8% (400+ RMG startups in India) |
| Regulatory Rules | New MeitY guidelines for gaming safety & investment clarity |
| GST on Gaming | 28% tax (Finalized in 51st GST Council Meeting) |
These insights highlight the rapid growth, regulation, and investment trends in India’s online gaming sector.
Key Recommendations by All India Gaming Federation for DPDP 2025
AIGF has provided critical feedback on specific regulations concerning data security, breach reporting, user notifications, and data retention. A structured breakdown of their primary recommendations is provided below:
1. Security Measures (Rule 6)
- AIGF Suggestion: Modify Rule 6(1)(a) to allow “appropriate security measures” instead of mandated “reasonable measures”.
- Impact on Poker & Gaming: This will reduce unnecessary compliance costs while still ensuring strong data security.
2. Data Breach Reporting (Rule 7)
- AIGF Suggestion: Introduce a materiality threshold for reporting data breaches and adopt a staggered reporting model.
- Impact on Poker & Gaming: Helps gaming platforms avoid unnecessary penalties and allows them to fix security issues before escalation.
3. Notifying Affected Users (Rule 7)
- AIGF Suggestion: Modify Rule 7(1) to ensure that users are notified only if the breach is significant.
- Impact on Poker & Gaming: Prevents panic and ensures timely, accurate communication with players.
4. Data Retention Timelines (Rule 8)
- AIGF Suggestion: Provide clear guidelines on retention policies for platforms exceeding 5 million registered users.
- Impact on Poker & Gaming: Helps poker platforms manage player data efficiently, avoiding unnecessary storage costs.
Poker & Online Gaming Industry Data: Market Insights
To understand the scale of the impact, let’s look at the current online gaming market trends in India:
| Metric | Value (2024) | Projected (2025) |
| Total Online Gamers in India | 400 Million | 450 Million+ |
| Real Money Gaming Users | 80 Million | 100 Million+ |
| Indian Poker Market Size | ₹1,100 Cr ($132M) | ₹1,500 Cr ($180M) |
| Expected Growth in RMG Sector | 22% CAGR | 25% CAGR |
| Compliance Burden on Startups | High | Under Review |
All India Gaming Federation’s Perspective on DPDP Rules
AIGF CEO Roland Landers underlined the need of a well-balanced legislative environment and said that:
“The DPDP Act and its rules are significant regulatory steps that require thoughtful implementation to support business sustainability while safeguarding user data.”
AIGF acknowledges the government’s consultative approach and is actively working to ensure that gaming operators, including poker platforms, can adapt smoothly.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Poker Platforms?
AIGF’s suggestions seek to establish a fair and sensible legal framework for India’s online gaming sector—including poker platforms—to flourish while guaranteeing good data security for players.
Would you like a detailed study of how these developments particularly impact RMG businesses and poker operators? Follow POKERBOL!
Source: Gutshot Magazine
