Gaming
Indian gaming industry at risk of job losses after 28% GST imposed
Mumbai: According to the companies, the recent decision made by the GST council to raise indirect taxes on online gaming will cause significant harm to India’s online gaming industry and could potentially lead to the loss of employment for thousands of people.“Imposing GST on CEA will render the legitimate online gaming industry unviable, effectively driving consumers towards offshore and illegal platforms that pay no taxes, resulting in loss of taxes and outflow of foreign exchange. Further, this will also lead to loss of employment for thousands working in this sector,” said Games24x7 co-founder, co-CEO Bhavin Pandya one of the country’s top fantasy sports platforms.At the 50th meeting of the GST Council in Delhi, chaired by union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a decision was made to impose a 28 per cent GST on online gaming, horse racing, and casinos based on their full value. The Group of Ministers (GoM) had previously agreed on the proposed taxes for these activities, but there was no consensus on online gaming as Goa suggested a lower tax rate of 18 per cent on platform fees.Indian gaming industry raised $ 2.8 billion from domestic and global investors combined in the last five years said Invest India.”This development indicates an increase from 1.8 rupees per 100 rupees spent on a game to 28 rupees on per 100. This will not only discourage players from playing, the professionals for whom its a livelihood will be burdened by taxation. It may also force them to play on offshore platforms, and the whole vision of creating a digital progressing gaming ecosystem seems blurry at this point,” said tech policy lawyer and EPWA (E-Gamers and Players Welfare Association) director Shivani Jha.”There is a fine line between skill-based games and casinos/betting apps, and they must not be treated the same way; a levy of an 18 per cent tax rate would have been helpful for the gaming industry. Introducing a 28 per cent tax rate not only hampers online gaming platforms’ capacity to develop new games and technologies but also undermines their competitiveness in the market,” said IndiaPlays COO Aaditya Shah.
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
