Asia
Top Gaming CEOs Call Out Google’s ‘Extortionist’ 30% Tax on Gaming Apps at Consilience 2023
Top gaming CEOs expressed their concerns over the ‘extortionist’ 30% tax imposed by Google on gaming apps at a panel discussion held at Consilience 2023, organized by the Law and Technology Society (L-Tech) at National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in partnership with All India Game Developers’ Forum (AIGDF).
Manish Agarwal, Co-Founder of IndiGG, stated that the 30% tax on gaming apps is unfair. “The 30% jagirdari tax is an extortion and I believe in India we should not allow anybody to do this, especially when you’re not an Indian company,” he said. He pointed out that, in a country like India, the focus needs to be to increase its propensity to pay and reduce friction in spending among consumers. Adding an extra 30% tax on top of the goods and services tax (GST) is a significant expense for consumers, which he believes is unproductive from a gamer’s perspective.
Anuj Tandon, Gaming Chief Executive Officer for JetSynthesys, expressed a similar sentiment. “When app stores and play stores were launched, the 30% fee was revolutionary compared to the 70% charged by OEMs or Telcos for game developers. At that time, it was a very good idea, but as the industry and business models have evolved, there needs to be a relook at the rates,” he added.
Sai Srinivas, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Mobile Premier League (MPL), highlighted that the 30% commission may be viable in advanced markets like the United States, but for India, it is crucial to ensure that Indian game developers receive more revenue to invest in game development and build more games. “Let’s evaluate the unit economics; if a developer charges 100 rupees, 30 rupees go to the play store or app store and 70 rupees goes to the developer,” he explained. “From that 70 rupees, they have to pay for hosting, user acquisition and other expenses. My view is that we should provide Indian game developers with more revenue to invest in game development and build more games.”
Sean Hyunil Sohn, Chief Executive Officer for Krafton Incorporated India, called for proper intervention by the government and encouraged the development of competition from third-party stores, supported by consumers.
Consilience 2023 marked the first conference of its kind to be held in the wake of the notification of the new online gaming rules by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The conference shed light on the legal and regulatory requirements that must be met, growth strategies to be adopted and policy needs for the industry to reach its full potential.
The conference explored topics such as online gaming regulations, taxation of gaming and new business opportunities that gaming companies can leverage. Speakers included Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder of Nodwin Gaming, Anupriya Sinha Das, Head of Corporate Development at Nazara, Rachit Rastogi, Chief Operating Officer for Good Game Exchange (GGX), Joyjyoti Misra, Group General Counsel for Gameskraft, Ritika Chatterjee, General Counsel for Mayhem Studios and Arun Prabhu, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. The panels were expertly moderated by professors of NLSIU like Dr Betsy Rajasingh (Associate Prof, NUJS), who has expertise in intellectual property and technology law, Professor Sanyukta Chowdhury, who specializes in tax, Professor Rahul Singh, Associate Professor of Law at NLSIU, whose expertise lies in corporate affairs and competition law, and Dr TS Somashekar, Professor of Economics, NLSIU.
“Consilience has always been a syncretic conference bringing together different perspectives on law and technology,” said Shikhar Sharma, Convenor of the Law and Technology Society 2022/23. “This year, we are proud to host it with AIGDF and bring in the perspective of business into the intersection of Law and Technology.”
Asia
Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit
Onlyplay has entered into a strategic partnership with online casino and betting company Ritchie Rabbit within the Asia region.
Ritchie Rabbit is said to have “extensive expertise and deep understanding of the Asian market,” which helps Onlyplay as it seeks to expand its presence in the region.
Through this deal, Onlyplay will introduce a range of games and features designed specifically for the Asian gaming community.
Onlyplay offers a wide range of games such as instant win, slots and crash games, and will now provide games for players in Asia.
Christina Muratkina, CEO of Onlyplay, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to develop the Asian region alongside Ritchie Rabbit. We recognize the immense potential of the Asian market and are committed to delivering top-notch gaming content and experiences to players in the region. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our efforts to offer innovative and engaging games that resonate with our Asian audience.”
Asia
FBM(R) launches FBM E-Motion: the newest online gaming platform for the Philippines
FBM® kicks off a new chapter of its Champion journey in the Philippines with the launch of FBM E-Motion! The online gaming platform disclosed yesterday in the FBM Champion’s Night event held at Xylo at The Palace in Taguig marks a historic moment for the global gaming brand in its pursuit of redefining the gaming experience of Filipino players.
FBM E-Motion promises to change the way local players interact with the FBM games. The online casino games developed under the FBM Group are now available for players in the Philippines to enjoy anytime and anywhere. Whether it is a video bingo, a slots theme or a table game, Filipino gaming enthusiasts have the control in the palm of their hands to start joyful gaming sessions.
One platform, multiple benefits for the players
The FBM E-Motion introduction means significant improvements to the local players’ gaming experience in multiple areas. The game’s accessibility is more convenient, as customers can access the platform with any desktop or mobile device.
Besides the improved accessibility, FBM E-Motion offers more gaming options since players can have fun playing various game categories from different providers. With more variety of gaming choices comes thrilling gaming opportunities as FBM E-Motion keeps users engaged with regular promotional campaigns, jackpots and bonuses to conquer.
In terms of safety and reliability, FBM E-Motion guarantees the highest quality standards. The platform got the license from PAGCOR, and all gaming services offered follow the excellence standards practiced by the FBM brand in the land-based universe, meeting all the criteria regarding legality and compliance with gaming regulations.
FBM E-Motion can be described as a user-centric platform, due to the prioritization of users’ needs, preferences, and overall satisfaction through a 24/7 dedicated customer service available in bingo halls nationwide.
This platform also stands out as the only digital platform allowing Filipino players to enjoy FBM games online in the Philippines.
FBM E-Motion is a game changer in the Filipino online gaming landscape
The release of FBM E-Motion materializes a new entertainment era for the FBM Group in the Philippines. With this step, FBM adds a new layer of engagement with the players’ community, allowing customers to try their favorite FBM titles inside and outside bingo halls in ways that were not possible.
The user-friendly interface of FBM E-Motion facilitates smooth navigation, stimulating players to try a solution crafted with cutting-edge technologies, attending to the latest trends of innovation and entertainment in this Asian country. Players can immerse themselves in a diverse range of memorable gaming experiences with FBM® exclusive games and video bingos, slots or table games provided by different providers.
The launch of FBM® E-Motion kicks off FBM®’s journey in the world of online gaming in the Philippines. With its promise of innovation, excitement and accessibility, the platform is ready to captivate players and redefine the future of their gaming experiences.
Africa
Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering
Hub88 has partnered with live casino supplier LiveGames, further strengthening its product offering by adding a unique range of content to its platform.
LiveGames provides fully customisable online live dealer games and branded tables including the first vertical roulette table in the sector, along with crash games and the widely played Tombola.
The supplier delivers experiences with a player-focused design, easy to use mobile interface, and high-resolution broadcasts.
The partnership will support LiveGames’ goal to further expand in international markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America where Hub88 has a strong presence.
The deal showcases Hub88’s commitment to grow its ecosystem of partners, offering a diverse portfolio of products and content.
Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this strategic partnership with LiveGames which sees us add a great provider to our platform, one that utilises modern technology to offer bespoke and personalised gaming experiences to players.
“We are looking forward to collaborating and strengthening our content library with their diverse games.”
The LiveGames Team said: “Our journey started in a small studio and as a team, we are excited about now expanding to every corner of the world together with Hub88 and their extensive operator network.
“We are committed to promoting innovation in the industry and this partnership will support us on that mission.”
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