It’s time to stay informed about the latest online betting regulations in India for 2024. Dig deeper and equip yourself with the required knowledge.
Do you love to risk your money with an attitude to win later? If yes, you might have tried your hands on online betting sports like Cricket, Football, Kabaddi, Poker, and so on.
But as the popularity of online betting platforms continues to soar, understanding the regulatory framework governing this industry becomes paramount for both operators and users alike.
Let’s take a look into the key aspects of Online Betting Regulations in India and how they impact this flourishing online gaming market.
The seventh schedule of the Constitution of India empowers the State Governments to make laws regarding gambling and betting activities, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape across the country. Thus the status of its being legal or illegal depends on which State you are in. Currently, Goa, Sikkim and Daman, and Diu have authorized gambling and have taken proactive steps toward regulating online betting within their jurisdictions.
In addition to it, the states of West Bengal and Nagaland have made it possible to play Poker both online and offline. Where some states have nodded their head, there are even states like Telangana, Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, and Karnataka that have banned online gambling.
At the National level, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 monitors gambling. However, it does not cover rules and regulations to be followed by online gambling.
So if you are stuck with the question of “Whether online betting is legal in India?” The answer would be vaguely yes. Because currently there is no law that states that online gambling or betting is illegal. On the other hand, there is an absence of substantial material that accurately classifies activities as “Games of Skill” or “Games of Chance”.
By introducing the Sports ( Online Gaming and Prevention of Fraud) Bill in 2018, the Government is taking steps towards safeguarding the integrity of sports and regulating online betting platforms.
Looking at the concerns prevailing such as money laundering, absence of strict KYC mechanisms, and addiction among children and adults, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has introduced various checks and balances through relevant amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics code) Rules, 2021 notified on April 06, 2023. It aims to curb the negative impact of online gambling or betting on users.
Thus before playing any online betting games, firstly play your part in keeping yourself informed about the legal landscape.
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