IEIC Certifies Over 100 Games for Preponderance of Skill to Combat Consumer Harm, Drive Industry Growth
The Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) has successfully certified over 100 games for their preponderance of skill using a pioneering statistical method.
Developed in collaboration with experts from IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, and Stanford University, this innovative method analyzes user behavior across billions of gameplays from over 100 million users.
Mohan Doss, Co-Founder of Chennai Games added, "This initiative should have ideally happened much sooner. Skill-testing methodologies are already widely adopted worldwide, and it's high time that India embraces and integrates them into our gaming ecosystem.
Naresh Khokhaneshiya, Co-Founder, Artoon said, "This certification process not only helps us test new products in the early stages but also provides a cost-effective way to validate the skill element in gaming”.
This initiative addresses the long-standing challenge of objectively distinguishing games of skill from games of chance, providing clarity that benefits both the industry and consumers.
“I believe IEIC's initiative will elevate the standard of skill-based gaming in India and pave the way for a more competitive and rewarding gaming landscape”, said Mohan.
This certification empowers consumers by enabling them to differentiate between legitimate skill-based gaming platforms and illegal betting and gambling platforms, safeguarding them from potential harm. By promoting a thriving evaluation methodology based on the Supreme Court of India’s test for preponderance of skill, IEIC is fostering a fair, transparent, and responsible gaming ecosystem.
The certified games—developed by over 50 leading studios, including Artoon, AppOn, Chennai Games, Hash Byte, MaxPlay, Smash Head, WinZO, and Play Bytes—span diverse genres such as arcade games, sports simulations, puzzles, card games, and board games. This certification not only validates the ingenuity of these developers but also reinforces the enduring appeal of skill-based games in the interactive entertainment sector.
IEIC’s certification process leverages a multifaceted assessment methodology that examines player behavior, skill consistency, strategic decision-making, and statistical analyses. By addressing the conflation of gaming and gambling, this initiative resolves regulatory ambiguities that have stifled industry growth, such as the recent 400 percent GST hike on legitimate gaming businesses.
A panel of experts from the institutes had developed scientific tests for skill elements in games through a multifaceted assessment methodology. This methodology included statistical analyses, observation of player behavior, consistency of skill manifestation over time, and the impact of strategic decisions on game outcomes. The statistical method or test of verifying preponderance of skill over chance were designed after utilising game play data and user behavior of over 100 million users, across billions of game plays, and other relevant factors. This initiative has the potential to reduce the compliance burden for the online gaming sector and resolve regulatory challenges in the era of rapid innovation in tech and business models. The panel of experts will closely work with IEIC as it scales its certification process to include more game developers willing to examine and certify their games for pre-ponderance of skill.
The statistical tests, integral to this certification process, align with global research and standards developed across jurisdictions to differentiate between games of skill and games of chance. IEIC’s certification program, in collaboration with premier research institutions, highlights its commitment to safety, transparency, and accountability. This initiative has provided game developers with scientific clarity about the element of skill in their games.
This scalable model paves the way for broader industry adoption, offering regulatory clarity essential for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), promoting public market forays, and driving innovation in game design and intellectual property creation.