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Who will win the Delhi assembly elections? Will India secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Will Akshay Kumar’s film Sky Force cross Rs100 crore at the box office? These are some of the questions posed to users on various real-money gaming apps and websites that allow users to wager on the outcomes of future events.

The unchecked rise of such games on real-money gaming platforms has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Globally, in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, opinion trading apps and websites are classified as wagering platforms and are regulated. In India, however, there is still a lack of specific legislation to govern these activities.

A senior official from MeitY, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Storyboard18: "We are well aware of certain apps and websites engaging in opinion trading. They exploit loopholes in the system to expand their business. We will soon issue an advisory on this matter."

A representative from the real-money gaming (RMG) industry stated: "Opinion trading is essentially betting. Wagering on future outcomes is akin to making money through predictions. Unfortunately, a handful of people involved in these activities tarnish the reputation of the entire RMG industry, casting us in a poor light with regulatory bodies like MeitY."

Interestingly, opinion-based games are thriving on these platforms, often at the expense of skill-based games like poker and rummy. "Many organizations affected by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime have started offering opinion-based games on their platforms to generate revenue. However, in the long run, this trend could hinder the growth of these platforms if left unchecked," said a senior counsel from a prominent law firm.

Legal precedent offers some clarity on the issue. In Manoranjithan Manamyil Mandram v. State of Tamil Nadu (2005), the Madras High Court ruled that determining whether a game is one of skill or chance depends on the specific circumstances of each case. The Court further held that even if a game involves elements of chance, it will not be classified as gambling if skill is the dominant factor in determining the outcome.

Similarly, in R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala v. Union of India (1957), the Supreme Court of India upheld this principle, ruling that games primarily based on skill are considered "mere skill" games and are protected as legitimate trade and business activities under the Indian Constitution. The Court also noted that games where chance outweighs skill are classified as gambling and are subject to regulatory prohibitions. These rulings form the foundation of the legal framework governing skill-based games in India and have been applied to both offline and online gaming.

Another industry stakeholder commented: "Advocacy bodies and federations have distanced themselves from opinion-based games and apps. They are aware that such games are more chance-based than skill-based. We are hoping the government provides a clear regulatory framework for these types of platforms."

The absence of clear regulations for opinion-based gaming leaves a grey area that both players and platforms continue to exploit. Opinion based games appeal to a wide audience and generate substantial revenue, their similarity to wagering and gambling creates challenges for the broader RMG industry. It is imperative for the government, especially MeitY, to establish comprehensive guidelines to address these challenges.

Opinion trading apps, games now under MeitY's scanner

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressed confidence that the country’s newly proposed Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules could become a "global template" for data regulation. In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Vaishnaw discussed the newly unveiled rules, which were made available for public consultation earlier this month, underscoring their goal of striking a delicate balance between innovation and regulation.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/how-to-submit-feedback-on-dpdp-draft-rules-all-you-need-to-know-52487.htm">Read more: How to submit feedback on DPDP draft rules: All you need to know</a>

“The rules operate within the framework of the Act, which itself was the product of years of exhaustive consultations,” Vaishnaw explained, emphasizing the collaborative approach taken in shaping the legislation. “Even here in Davos, a senior leader remarked that this is the model the world will follow now — not the GDPR anymore.” The minister went on to criticize the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), claiming it stifles innovation. By contrast, India’s approach, Vaishnaw argued, offers a “practical, common-sense solution” designed to accommodate the dynamic nature of technological advancement.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/dpdp-act-making-sense-of-the-rules-for-marketers-52586.htm">Read more: DPDP Act: Making sense of the rules for marketers</a>

The minister also highlighted the importance of flexibility within the rules, cautioning against overly rigid prescriptions. “Technology will evolve. We cannot afford to hardcode regulations; instead, the rules must remain principle-based, just as the Act itself is,” he said.

The implementation of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection framework will be entirely digital, a move designed to ensure seamless integration with the country’s technological landscape and promote adaptability. Vaishnaw shared that initial feedback from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with only minor adjustments likely needed going forward.

Vaishnaw’s remarks underscore India’s increasing prominence in global discussions surrounding data governance. With the passage of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act last year, the country has laid a foundational regulatory framework that aims to shape the future of data protection on a global scale.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/wef-2025-davos-minister-ashwini-vaishnaw-outlines-ambitious-plans-for-ai-and-semiconductor-self-reliance-54329.htm">Read more: WEF 2025, Davos: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines ambitious plans for AI and semiconductor self-reliance</a>


DPDP Rules: India’s new data protection rules will set global standards, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

India is actively exploring the possibility of developing its own Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) within the next three to five years, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information Technology, and Information and Broadcasting. Speaking to CNBC-TV18 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Vaishnaw outlined the government’s ongoing collaboration with the private sector to develop indigenous AI models. While India is considering both general and specialized AI frameworks, the focus remains on creating solutions tailored to the country’s unique needs.

Vaishnaw also discussed India's ambitious semiconductor agenda, revealing plans to develop 25 homegrown chipsets, with the goal of having these designed and fabricated within the country. As part of the effort, India is exploring the potential for manufacturing advanced 14nm chips, an important step beyond the current focus on 28nm chips under the ₹76,000 crore Semiconductor Mission. The initiative seeks to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

On artificial intelligence, the minister emphasized India’s commitment to bolstering its AI capabilities, notably through the AI Mission, which aims to equip the country with the computational power required for AI development. This includes the deployment of 10,000 GPUs, an effort aimed at supporting Indian start-ups that currently lack access to the necessary infrastructure. However, Vaishnaw acknowledged that significant work remains to be done in this area.

Looking ahead to 2025, India’s AI strategy is centered on two key priorities: talent development and data. Vaishnaw pointed to successful collaborations with over 100 universities for the telecommunications sector and 240 universities for the semiconductor industry. The government is now applying this model to AI, hoping to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving AI research and application within the country.

On the data front, India is leveraging its vast reserves of non-personal data — including information on transportation, agriculture, and weather — to create robust datasets for training AI models. This data, Vaishnaw noted, presents a valuable resource for the advancement of AI technologies.

In the semiconductor sector, India is making significant strides. The construction of five semiconductor fabrication facilities is well underway, with the first "Made in India" chips expected to be produced by the end of 2025. Vaishnaw also shared that the government is preparing for the next phase of its semiconductor initiative, Semicon 2.0. This phase will expand support to a broader ecosystem, including suppliers of chemicals and gases, while also placing a stronger emphasis on chip design within India.

India's aggressive push into these critical technology sectors highlights its determination to become a global player in AI and semiconductors, with the potential to reshape both industries in the coming years.

WEF 2025, Davos: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines ambitious plans for AI and semiconductor self-reliance

US President Donald Trump has unveiled the Stargate Project, an ambitious initiative designed to secure American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) through a massive investment in AI infrastructure. 

The project is set to invest $500 billion over the next four years, with an immediate $100 billion allocation to kickstart development. The Stargate Project, which is expected to create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, will play a pivotal role in the re-industrialization of the United States and provide a strategic capability to safeguard the nation’s security interests and those of its allies.

The Stargate Project is backed by a coalition of powerhouse companies, including SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX. 

SoftBank and OpenAI are the primary partners, with SoftBank handling the financial responsibilities and OpenAI overseeing operations. Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank, will serve as the chairman of Stargate.

Key technology partners include Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and OpenAI, with the buildout currently underway in Texas. The Stargate team is also evaluating additional campuses across the U.S. as they finalize agreements to expand the project further.

This partnership is an extension of the strong collaborative efforts between OpenAI and NVIDIA, which dates back to 2016. 

More recently, OpenAI has also forged a strategic alliance with Oracle. As part of this continued collaboration, Oracle, NVIDIA, and OpenAI will work closely together to design and operate the cutting-edge computing systems that will form the backbone of the Stargate Project.

The collaboration with Microsoft will see OpenAI continue to leverage Azure to accelerate AI model training and improve product development. 

This expanded computing infrastructure will enable OpenAI to deliver even more advanced and innovative AI-driven solutions, contributing to the overall economic growth and technological advancement of the United States.

Donald Trump announces $500 bn Stargate Project to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI

Netflix reported a 30 percent quarter-over-quarter increase in its membership on ads plan in December 2024. According to the streaming platform, its ads plan has become popular among consumers, accounting for over 55 percent of sign-ups in Q4 (October-December 2024). 

Netflix's revenue grew 16 percent to $10.2 billion in 2024 on the back of ad revenue growth and subscriber additions.

"We exceeded our ads revenue target in Q4, which was an exciting milestone to get. We've doubled our ads revenue year-over-year last year. We expect to double it again this year so that should give you a sense of the slope of monetization growth that we're on," Netflix CEO, President & Director Gregory K Peters said. 

The company added 19 million subscribers in the December quarter of 2024. Consumers are increasingly signing up for ad-supported platforms to save costs.
 
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"We love our ads plan because it allows us to offer a lower price point for consumers. That's more choice, good accessibility. That is proving to be popular. It means that we obviously have more people that can sign up and enjoy a growing range of entertainment that we've got to offer," Netflix CEO added.

Additionally, the company said it would continue to improve offerings for advertisers to grow advertising revenue.

In Q4, Netflix registered a 16 percent rise in revenue year-over-year, driven by 19 million paid net additions. Netflix said that Q4 was the biggest quarter of net adds in its history, compared to 13 million in Q4 2023 and 5 million in Q3 2024. The company's operating income rose 52 percent YoY.

Netflix, which rolled out the third-party ad tech platform in November 2024, will do the same in the other markets this year, starting with the US in April. 

Having its own first-party ad tech platform, allows Netflix to give advertisers “more data sources, more measurement and more incrementality reporting,” Peters said.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/netflix-fined-e4-75-million-by-dutch-regulator-for-privacy-violations-50860.htm">Netflix fined €4.75 million by Dutch regulator for privacy violations</a>

Netflix has launched an 'Extra Member'  with ads offering in 10 of the 12 countries where it has an ads plan to give members additional choice and flexibility.

Netflix has also raised its ad-supported plan by $1 to $7.99. Peters acknowledged that "Netflix has considerable work ahead in terms of maximizing ad monetization". "We have significant runway to continue growing [ad] revenue," he added.

Netflix's ad plan pays off: 55% of Q4 sign-ups opt for ad-supported option

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed it will continue using its existing fact-checking program outside the United States "for now," despite moving to a community-based notes system in its home market, according to a Bloomberg report.

Nicola Mendelsohn, Meta's head of global business, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos and stressed that "nothing [is] changing in the rest of the world at the moment," while the U.S. program adapts to the new approach.

Over the past few years, Meta introduced fact-checking measures in response to widespread criticism regarding the platform's role in the dissemination of misinformation.

However, following the U.S. transition to a new administration, the tech giant announced earlier this month that it would begin phasing out its fact-checkers domestically in favour of a community-powered notes system, similar to what is currently used by Elon Musk's social media platform, X.

Mendelsohn acknowledged in a Bloomberg report that Meta "will see how that goes as we move it out over the year," hinting that the community note program could be rolled out globally once its efficacy in the U.S is determined. 

However, the company may face regulatory challenges in certain regions, such as Europe, where the Digital Services Act (DSA) places strict requirements on digital platforms to curb the spread of misleading or deceptive content.

<strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/meta-to-overhaul-content-moderation-fewer-factcheckers-more-political-content-52659.htm">Meta to overhaul content moderation: Fewer factcheckers, more political content</a>

Meta confirms it will continue using fact checkers outside the U.S. 'for now'

On Saturday, Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, announced that Reels can now be up to three minutes long. This is a significant change from the previous limit of 90 seconds. Mosseri explained, “We’ve always focused on short-form video, but we’ve heard that 90 seconds is too short for those wanting to share longer stories. Hopefully, this change will help.”

The announcement came just hours before TikTok temporarily went offline in the US, only to resume services later with support from President-elect Donald Trump.

Competition in the short-video space remains fierce. Back in October 2024, YouTube extended the length of its Shorts to three minutes. TikTok, however, continues to lead by allowing creators to upload vertical videos as long as 60 minutes.

In addition to extending Reels’ duration, Instagram is introducing vertical grids on user profiles, replacing the traditional square format. This update is aimed at better displaying vertical content, which now dominates the platform. Mosseri said, “Square grids often crop vertical videos and photos too much. This update should make profiles look better and improve the overall experience.”

Mosseri also announced a new tool for content creators. Instagram is launching a video editing app called Edits, which is now available for pre-order on Apple’s App Store and will officially launch on March 13.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/instagram-unveils-edits-a-new-video-editing-app-for-creators-53931.htm">Read more: Instagram unveils 'Edits': A new video editing app for creators</a>

Instagram extends reels to three minutes and updates profile layout

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday delaying the enforcement of a nationwide ban on TikTok for 75 days, effectively granting the China-based parent company, ByteDance, additional time to either divest a stake in the platform or strike a deal with the administration. The decision follows a dramatic weekend in which TikTok, the ultra-popular social media app, went dark for U.S. users for over 12 hours, only to return after Trump signaled his intention to intervene.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/we-thank-president-trump-tiktok-announced-its-in-the-process-of-restoring-service-in-the-us-53890.htm">Read more: 'We thank President Trump': TikTok announced it’s ‘in the process of restoring service’ in the US</a>

Trump’s order pauses the TikTok ban to allow the administration time to determine the "appropriate course of action." The delay, which can last up to 90 days, comes after the president previously suggested that ByteDance could resolve the issue by creating a joint venture in which U.S. interests hold at least a 50% stake.

Trump, addressing supporters at a rally in Washington D.C. during his inauguration festivities, declared, “As of today, TikTok is back,” and stated, “We have no choice, we have to save it,” while proposing that such a deal would be lucrative for the U.S. He described the envisioned partnership as a "joint venture" that would result in significant financial gains.

The executive order, which is expected to delay the ban, has drawn some skepticism. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, raised concerns about the legality of the move, questioning whether it respects the separation of powers. Speaking to CNN, Cramer noted his unease about the constitutional implications of presidential authority in such matters, particularly given that the ban had received bipartisan backing and had been upheld by the Supreme Court.

While TikTok has resumed its operations for many American users, those accessing the app are greeted with a pop-up message reading, “Welcome back!” and attributing the app’s return to Trump’s intervention. However, the app remains unavailable for download on Apple’s App Store, signaling that the dispute is far from over.

Donald Trump delays TikTok ban for 75 days, granting ByteDance more time to reach deal

In 2024, InMobi's performance advertising platform has emerged as a central focus of its growth strategy, underpinned by significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to fortify its position in an increasingly competitive landscape.

"We’ve made notable strides this year in unifying our owned exchange, the proprietary Glance platform, and third-party exchanges into a singular, cohesive performance ecosystem," says Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, Consumer and Performance Advertising, InMobi. "This integration has created a distinctive edge, offering us a unique value proposition in the market." 

From a growth standpoint, InMobi has seen a promising uptick. Sectors like quick commerce have demonstrated strong momentum, which in turn has translated to increased advertising spending across the platform. Additionally, the rise of AI-driven apps and surging demand in the gaming sector have further bolstered the company’s advertising business. 

On the consumer side, Glance boasts over 235 million active users globally. Apart from India, international markets, including Japan, Southeast Asia, and Brazil, have also demonstrated promising growth, Agarwal said. 

The role of AI has been transformative, particularly in content personalization. Innovations in localization, creative formats, and language translation have significantly enhanced the ability to deliver tailored brand messages to individual users. As a result, AI has not only streamlined operational processes but has also redefined how brands engage with consumers. 

Data privacy has emerged as another critical concern, with growing awareness surrounding issues like cookie deprecation and user consent. In response, brands are recalibrating their marketing strategies to navigate evolving privacy laws. As stricter regulations take hold globally, user privacy is increasingly becoming a core consideration for advertising strategies, said Agarwal. 

Omnichannel marketing remains a key trend, with the convergence of digital and physical experiences reshaping consumer interactions with brands. For advertisers, this has meant the seamless integration of mobile, connected TV, and physical touchpoints. On the consumer front, the omnichannel experience is becoming central to the success of marketing campaigns, offering brands a more holistic view of engagement across platforms.

Looking ahead to 2025, AI’s influence on the advertising industry is expected to deepen, she pointed out. While its impact on content creation and generative AI has been widely recognized, its role in optimizing targeting, pricing, personalization, and supply chains will likely grow exponentially. 

Data privacy will continue to be a focal point as stricter regulations unfold. As cookies and traditional identifiers fade into obsolescence, brands will be forced to adopt privacy-first advertising strategies, adjusting to a rapidly changing ecosystem.

A pivotal area of focus for InMobi is the increasing importance of digital surfaces — particularly the lock screen through Glance — as integral touchpoints in daily consumer life. As the app-less content discovery platform continues to gain adoption, its role in creating frictionless, user-centered experiences will only expand, concluded Agarwal.


InMobi's Vasuta Agarwal on data privacy, omnichannel marketing and quick commerce

Launched in November 2024, Zomato's District app has seen a promising start, crossing 6.5 million downloads within just a few months, the food delivery and q-comm major said in its recent quarterly earnings report. Although still in its early stages, the app has quickly gained traction, signaling a strong future for this ambitious venture in a bourgeoning going-out sector.

Looking ahead, the immediate focus for District lies in two critical areas. First, the company is working to transition its user base from other platforms like Zomato, Paytm, Insider, and Ticketnew to District. By consolidating these experiences, District aims to become a one-stop destination for everything related to dining, events, and entertainment in India. Second, enhancing customer engagement is a top priority. Zomato said this will be achieved by improving the variety of experiences available on the app, simplifying the user interface, and incorporating new technological features.

A key aspect of this strategy is introducing new, world-class going-out experiences to India that have not been available previously, a move that the company believes will differentiate it in the crowded market.

However, as Zomato focuses on these growth initiatives, it faces challenges. Rahul Ganjoo who is the head of Zomato's District app, said, "While the core business continues to be profitable, the quarterly loss in Q3FY25 was largely driven by the investment in the new District app (team, marketing, tech costs). Most of the investments from here on will be focused on getting customers to transition to the new app and grow selection on our platform. We are likely to operate in losses for the next year or so but we don’t expect them to be meaningful in the overall context of Zomato."

With a clear vision for growth, District is positioning itself to reshape the landscape of India's going-out experiences, though it acknowledges that much work remains to be done.

Ganjoo added, "Currently our priority is to focus on the existing categories - dining-out and entertainment ticketing (movies, sports and live events). These are the most frequently used categories within going-out and building strong customer engagement here will give us the right to build and scale other categories and use-cases in the future. There is still a lot of work to be done towards strengthening our dining-out offering and building a leadership position in entertainment ticketing, which is where we will focus most of our energies for at least the next couple of years."

The annualized GOV for going-out is already at around Rs 10,000 crore, which is in line with Zomato's guidance for FY26. Zomato expects growth from here on to be driven by growth in the underlying categories and increase in market share. "We believe that strong execution can significantly alter the growth trajectory of the underlying categories here, given the latent demand and unaddressed opportunity. If we execute well, we don’t see why this business cannot grow at 40%+ YoY at least for the next couple of years," said Ganjoo.  

The food delivery and quick commerce major Zomato reported a 57 percent year-on-year (YoY) decline in quarterly profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 59 crore in the third quarter (Q3) of financial year 2024-25 (FY25), down from Rs 138 crore in the same period a year ago. It had reported a PAT of Rs 176 crore in Q2 FY25. Zomato’s revenue from operations rose 64 percent YoY to Rs 5,404 crore in Q3, up from Rs 3,288 crore a year ago. It had reported a revenue of Rs 4,799 crore in the previous quarter.

Total expenses for the Gurugram-based firm increased to Rs 5,533 crore in the quarter ended December, up from Rs 3,383 crore a year ago and Rs 4,783 crore a quarter ago. Expenses on advertising and sales promotion went northward, from Rs 421 crore in the quarter ending in September to Rs 521 crore in the quarter ending in December. 

Zomota also highlighted how the sudden surge in competition has impacted business. According to Zomato, this heightened competition has led to a pause in margin expansion in the business, which is expected and should be temporary. The 2% quarter-on-quarter muted gross order value (GOV) growth in food delivery has been driven by broad based demand slowdown, Zomato said.

Zomato’s quick commerce arm Blinkit reported a (EBITDA) loss of Rs 103 crore in Q3FY25, a 16 percent increase year-on-year (YoY) from a loss of Rs 89 crore incurred during the same period last year. On a sequential basis, the adjusted EBITDA loss is significantly higher than Rs 8 crore recorded in Q2FY25.

Its revenue increased over 117 percent YoY to Rs 1,399 crore, up from Rs 644 crore in Q3 FY24. Blinkit reported a revenue of Rs 1,156 crore in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, its GOV for the quarter increased to Rs 7,798 crore in the December quarter, compared to Rs 3,542 crore in Q3 FY24 and Rs 6,132 crore in the previous quarter.

DIGITAL