China to clamp down on online operators

China’s Ministry of Culture (MOC) has issued a warning to 26 online gaming operators ordering them to “clean up their act” following an investigation into illegal online cultural activities.

The Ministry warns of an increase in penalties if online gaming operators do not rectify identified violations which range from running banned games to failing to use real-name registrations, Xinhua reports.

Among the 26 under the spotlight, 16 have reportedly been identified as offering gambling and content “against social ethics”.

Other violations identified include a lack of responsible gambling measures in terms of age restriction and length of playing time.

“Businesses must learn their lessons, fulfil their responsibilities, improve their own self-censorship and operate their businesses in line with the law,” the MOC said in a statement on its website.

The MOC, who took on the direct supervision of online games earlier this year, said it intended regulating and cleaning up online gaming behaviour and its environment along with enforcing measures that protect consumers.

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