Celebrities and influencers who back real-money games would also face criminal charges. But players say those determined to bet will find a way to access overseas and unregulated websites, while fans of fantasy sport apps can still play, although for prizes and not cash. India is governed by complex laws, with the Public Gambling Act of 1867 being the primary legislation that prohibits most forms of gambling nationwide. The legal ambiguity poses challenges for both players and operators, including uncertainty about the legality of participation, regulatory inconsistencies, and issues related to player protection and responsible gaming. Bingo may or may not fall under the category, or within the ambit of “ lottery” or betting/gambling under most Gaming Enactments, since these are considered a game of chance and thus banned in most States in India.
India’s gaming fans eye illegal sites after gambling ban
Gambling falls under the jurisdiction of individual states, with only Indian states empowered to legislate on gambling within their boundaries. The Public Gambling Act of 1867, a central legislation, specifically prohibits the operation or management of public gambling establishments.2 Violation of this law carries a penalty of a ₹200 fine or imprisonment for up to three months. Additionally, the Act prohibits visiting gambling establishments, with a penalty of ₹100 fine or imprisonment for up to one month. Officials said the rapid spread of the platforms caused widespread financial distress, addiction, and suicide, while also being linked to fraud, money laundering, and financing terrorism. The gambling age is an aspect of gambling law — the minimum age at which one can legally gamble in a certain jurisdiction. In some countries, gambling is illegal regardless of age, while some countries have different age limits for different types of gambling, and some countries have no explicit minimum gambling age.
However, the enforcement landscape remains inconsistent, with authorities primarily targeting unlicensed operators and those involved in fraudulent activities. Licensed operators, particularly those operating in states like Sikkim, continue to offer online gambling services within the framework of state regulations. Technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the law separates still-legal eSports “from betting, gambling, and fantasy money games that exploit users with false promises of profit.”
Legal challenges in store for India’s online gambling ban
Common gambling activities like organized betting are restricted except for selective categories, including lottery and horse racing. On one hand, the government positions the move as essential to protecting families and preventing exploitation. On the other hand, industry groups and operators warn that a blanket ban risks undermininginnovation and prompting users to migrate to offshore or unregulated platforms.
How Does This Contradict Previous Government Policy?
- This may include a proper licensing process, regular audits, and consumer protection rules.
- However, inconsistent enforcement and the absence of clear regulations contribute to a challenging regulatory environment.
- Similarly, Goa and Daman permit the operation of land-based casinos, but the legal status of online gambling in these states remains unclear due to the absence of specific regulations.
- Casino gambling in India is regulated under the Public Gambling Act and is considered separate from illegal gambling.
- After post-2013 spot-fixing scandal, it was recommended by the Law Commission to the Central Govt.
“India has many creative minds who can develop new games based on our stories and traditions. Lawmakers in India last month passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which bans all real-money gaming, from poker and rummy to fantasy sports. Dream11 — which boasts of being the world’s largest fantasy sports platform, with 260 million users — posted notices that “cash https://wdgc2022.com/ games and contests have been discontinued”.
