Karnataka to consider regulation of online gaming
Minister Priyank Kharge has discussed a draft bill with senior government officials and members of online gaming federations.
India.- Karnataka’s IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge has met with home minister G Parameshwara, senior government officials, members of the online gaming federations and industry experts to discuss a legal framework for regulating online gaming. A draft bill would seek to curb online gambling and protect consumers while supporting the growth of skill-based gaming.
In a tweet, Kharge said that India’s legitimate online skill-based gaming industry is an emerging sector valued at US$4bn, which contributes ₹12,000 crore in taxes and creates over 150,000 jobs. Karnataka represents 25 per cent of this market and contributes ₹1,350 crore in annual taxes.
However, Kharge warned that there is “a parallel underground market of offshore gambling and illegal betting that’s growing even more rapidly posing risks like predatory money collection practices, dubious shell companies, financial fraud, data breaches and cyber crimes.”
In 2021, the Karnataka Police Act 1963 was amended to ban all forms of gambling in the state, including online gambling. However, the amendment was overturned by the Karnataka High Court.
Petition filed in Telangana to ban gambling ads on Hyderabad Metro
N Nagur Babu, an advocate from KPHB Colony, has filed a public interest lawsuit in the Telangana High Court asking it to direct the Hyderabad Metro Rail and local authorities to remove all gambling ads from metro trains and stations in the city.
Babu also asked the court to direct the Enforcement Directorate to investigate the financial dealings between Hyderabad Metro Rail and various offshore gambling operators like FairPlay, 1xBAT and MyJackpot777. He says the sites operate from other countries and do not have permission to work in India. In his petition, Babu says the Enforcement Directorate has cases against the platforms and has seized about Rs.399 crore related to illegal gambling operations.
