The skill-based gaming industry embraced the launch of the Skill Online Games Institute (SOGI). This is an initiative created to be a hub for reliable and credible data concerning skill games online. According to the official release, SOGI’s core mission is to grant industry stakeholders access to timely insights into the latest developments in the industry and emerging global trends. 

SOGI’s introduction comes at a crucial moment during the industry’s transformative phase, where the demand for accurate and up-to-date information is high. The institute's objective is to secure the future of India’s promising online skill games industry. 

It is worth noting that the global skill games market has experienced substantial growth in the past years. As of 2020, it was valued at USD 159.3 billion. This proves the strategic significance of SOGI’s initiatives in enhancing the continued success and sustainability of the industry. 

The initiative focuses on the acronym “CRP”. C is for cataloging of information, R is for research with academic organizations, and P is for presentations to a wide range of industry stakeholders, including relevant regulators, academia, and ministries. 

SOGI is focused on a vast range of information about the industry. This includes research, data, expert opinions, legal precedents, tax implications, and regulatory frameworks from various regions. Furthermore, it will explore different dimensions of the gaming market, such as its economic impact, the relationship between skill and chance, and the impact of existing games on players’ well-being. Additionally, it will look into policies surrounding illegal gambling and other areas that help stakeholders make the right and informed decisions. 

Talking about gambling skill games, blackjack is one of the most popular in the industry. Mastering blackjack requires skills. You need to know when to split, when to double down, and why. Fortunately, it’s easy to learn and master the game as there are many platforms where you can play blackjack online in India. 

In a similar vein, many other non-gambling games require critical thinking and techniques. An example is the timeless game of chess. Doing well in chess means understanding moves and where to put pieces. Esports like Leagues of Legends are also not left out. They require not just personal skills but also the ability to work together and be flexible. 

SOGI aims to be a trusted source for honest and unbiased decisions. It hopes to remove unnecessary moral or emotional influences that affect these games and others in the industry. This will lead to the development of a well-detailed industry database. 

Furthermore, SOGI has gone into partnerships with organizations like IIT Roorkee, IIM Bangalore, and The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS). Its collaborative efforts with these institutions are intended to create thorough research in areas where there is currently a lack of data. It’s also making moves to form similar alliances with well-known institutions abroad. 

Veteran in Government Affairs, Amrit Kiran Singh, has been appointed to head SOGI. Amrit played a crucial role in getting the online skilled games industry formalized over the past 19 months. He has previously served as the CEO of Jack Daniels, South and Southeast Asia, for over 20 years. He also was the International Spirits and Wines Association of India’s Executive Chairman and the Brussels World Spirit Alliance Vice Chairman. Armit has also been the country’s delegate at the World Health Organization (Geneva) on the committee for reducing the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption.  

Expressing his excitement for the industry, the SOGI president said, “Our mission is to assist in unlocking the full potential of the skilled online gamed industry for the benefit of India while minimizing its negative aspects through the application of knowledge.”