Union Budget 2025: E-Gaming Federation Seeks Policy Clarity, Rational Taxation

By A Staff Reporter

As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, the online gaming industry is keenly watching for policy measures that could shape its future. E-Gaming Federation CEO Anuraag Saxena has outlined key expectations from the government, stressing the need for regulatory clarity, rational taxation, and greater inclusion in national development programs.

"One, we need policy clarity and policy stability, which is what both domestic investors and foreign investors look for," Saxena stated, highlighting the uncertainty in the sector. "Second, we'd like more rational and progressive taxation, which honestly, over the last 10-12 years, the government has been able to achieve through the whole GST process, which was really cumbersome if you think about it. Ideally, we want tax policies that provide a fillip to the industry."

Saxena also emphasized the importance of integrating the gaming ecosystem into broader government initiatives. "The larger gaming ecosystem should become a part of various government schemes and initiatives—whether it is Skill Development, Startup India, Digital India—so we can become those engines," he said.

Summarizing the industry’s stance, he added, "If there is regulatory clarity, at some point, that provides a fillip to investments and job creation in the sector... If there is progressive taxation, then it kind of turbocharges our sector."