Section 20: Power to Remove Difficulties

Overview

Section 20 of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, is a safety net designed to help implement the law smoothly. It gives the Central Government the power to issue orders to fix any unexpected problems or inconsistencies that might arise when the Act is put into practice. Think of it as a way to fine-tune the rules as they are being applied in the real world.

Key Provisions

• Power to Issue Orders: The Central Government can issue orders published in the Official Gazette to remove any difficulty in implementing the Act.
• Limitations: These orders cannot change the core principles of the Act or create new crimes. They must stay within the boundaries set by the law.
• Time Limit: This power is usually available only for a limited time after the Act comes into effect.
• Parliamentary Oversight: Any orders issued under this section must be presented to both Houses of Parliament for review.

Practical Impact

This section primarily affects the government, online gaming companies (studios, publishers), and payment gateways. It allows the government to quickly address unforeseen issues that could hinder the Act’s effectiveness. For businesses, it means they need to stay informed about any orders issued under Section 20 and adjust their operations accordingly. It doesn’t weaken the main rules of the Act, but provides flexibility in how those rules are applied.

Examples

• Example 1: App Store Alignment: Imagine the Act requires a specific registration process for online gaming platforms. If app stores have technical limitations that prevent this process from working smoothly, the government could issue an order clarifying how the registration should be handled in those specific cases.
• Example 2: Payment Gateway Compliance: The Act prohibits certain types of payments for online money games. If there’s ambiguity about how this prohibition interacts with existing payment gateway systems, the government could issue an order providing specific guidance to payment gateways on how to comply with the law. This order couldn't *allow* prohibited payments, but it could clarify *how* to identify and block them.

Keywords: power to remove difficulties, transitional provisions, Gazette order, parliamentary oversight, implementation clarifications, Online Gaming Act India Section 20.