India: Uttar Pradesh analyzing tough penalties for online gambling
The state of Uttar Pradesh is considering introducing penalties for online gambling and increasing those for gambling in public places.
India.- Following recommendations made by the State Law Commission, Uttar Pradesh is considering new penalties for gambling.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has presented the Uttar Pradesh State Gaming Bill, which includes new regulations for online gambling, although it exempts online games of skill, whether they’re played for stakes or otherwise.
According to the draft, online gambling would be punishable by up to three years in prison. Games of skill such as rummy, bridge and other card games, would not be punishable.
The State Law Commission has also suggested increasing penalties for gambling in public places, proposing fines of RS$5,000.
Currently, the state of Uttar Pradesh penalises gambling in a public place with three months of prison and a fine of RS$50.
The new gaming bill will have to be approved by the state cabinet and then passed by both houses of legislature and and the Governor before becoming law.
Other Indian states that have already taken measures against online gambling include Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have already banned all forms of gaming that involve stakes.
The southern state of Kerala also decided to ban online rummy in March. The Rajasthan state government also amended its legislation to ban online gambling.
Meanwhile, the state of Sikkim is the first state with regulated online gambling thanks to the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules.
Operators who want to apply for an online gaming licence however must reside within the state of Sikkim and the licence could include many forms of betting as cricket, rugby, etc.
