Indian court pushes for online gaming regulation

The Madras High Court in India has said legislation is needed to regulate the sector and to attract investment.

India.- The Madras High Court in India has ruled that a comprehensive framework is necessary to regulate online gaming in the country, and has suggested a regulatory body be created for the purpose.

While judging a case in which the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act was applied to a gambler playing cards, the court questioned why the law in India should come down hard on physical land-based gaming while websites offering online rummy were tolerated in most parts of the country despite there being no legal regulation.

It noted that online platforms as RummyPassion, Nazara, LeoVegas, Spartan Poker, Ace2Three, PokerDangal, Pocket52, My11Circle, and Genesis Casino were multiplying and targeting unemployed young people in their advertising, while online gambling companies in India were given different technological and legal requirements depending on the region.

The Court stated that a legislative set up was needed to regulate the emerging online games and virtual games field is needed.  

According to Business Standard, it said: “A comprehensive framework by a regulatory body is necessary to regulate the online sports and curb any illegal activities as well. In fact, such regulation of online sports would encourage investment in the sector, which could lead to technological advancements as well as generation of revenue and employment.”

The Court said it expects the government takes note of the situation to establish suitable legislation, using the judicial precedents.

It stated: “Needless to say that if the Government intends to pass a legislation in this regard, all the stakeholders should be put in notice and their views should be ascertained.”