New bill seeks to license skill games and ban online betting in Karnataka
The government says the bill would protect consumers and bring regulatory clarity.
India.- The Karnataka government has proposed an amendment to the Karnataka Police Act that would establish a dedicated regulatory authority to oversee real-money skill gaming and enforce a ban on online betting involving games of chance. The Karnataka Online Gaming and Betting Regulatory Authority (KOGBRA) would be created as a four-member body tasked with licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance
The bill aims to draw a clear legal line between games of skill and games of chance. All forms of online gambling involving games of chance would be prohibited, whether using money, tokens, virtual currency, or electronic funds. Skill-based games would be allowed, subject to regulation and licensing.
The proposed regulatory authority would have the mandate to classify games based on judicial precedents, monitor unregistered and illegal platforms, coordinate with law enforcement and IT departments to block access to illegal betting services, launch public awareness campaigns on gambling-related risks and develop compliance standards for player protection.
Skill gaming platforms seeking to operate in Karnataka would be required to obtain a licence, renewable every three years, and implement responsible gaming measures, including spending caps, time limits, and self-exclusion options.
Operators of unregistered platforms or those involved in games of chance could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to ₹1 lakh (US$ 1,200). Promoting or advertising illegal betting may result in six months’ imprisonment and a ₹10,000 fine. The bill also introduces incentives for whistleblowers who provide intelligence on illegal betting operations.
“This bill is not about stifling innovation, it’s about ensuring a fair, transparent, and responsible gaming environment,” said Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge.
