Gambling Regulation Changes Coming To Indian State
New betting and gambling regulations could be on the way in one of the largest states in India, according to a minister.
India’s Karnataka government is planning to regulate the betting industry
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Key Facts:
- Karnataka is the eighth biggest state in the South Asian nation
- States in India set their own rules for gambling and betting
- A committee made up of senior officials and industry stakeholders has been set up to discuss proposals
- The state’s home minister expects draft regulations to be published within a few weeks
Karnataka ranks as India’s eighth biggest state and has thus far held back from providing regulation for the online betting industry.
But with more people in India interested in using the internet to place sports bets and gamble online, Karnataka is moving forward with new regulations.
The state’s home minister confirmed to various local news sources that draft regulations could be ready to be revealed in around a month’s time.
A committee has also been formed to work on the proposed regulations, with the group made up of senior officials and industry stakeholders.
New Licence System
One of the proposals being thrashed out in the Indian state is a new licensing system.
Home minister Gangadharaiah Parameshwara told reporters that an initial meeting regarding online betting and gambling regulation changes has been held with the state’s IT minister.
He said: “There is nothing to regulate [gambling companies] so far. They have agreed to the introduction of a licence system and a regulation as per law. Once the draft is submitted, we will bring in a new law.”
Once the draft regulations are ready to go to the next stage, they will need to be considered and approved by the state legislature, which is located in the capital of Bengaluru.
Here, the plans will be examined and debated by the 224 members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as the 75 members of the Legislative Council.
Prohibiting Games Of Chance
Some hints as to what the new gambling and betting regulation changes in Karnataka have already been revealed.
The state seems set to follow in the footsteps of various others in India that have banned games deemed to be of chance rather than skill.
This could mean slot games are not allowed, with minister Priyank Kharge giving more details.
He said: “The proposed law is designed to prohibit games of chance while supporting innovation and the growth of skill-based online gaming.”
Kharge pointed out the potential economic boosts of regulating the online betting industry.
He added: “The legitimate online skill-based gaming industry in India is a sunrise sector worth USD 4 billion, contributing ₹12,000 crore in taxes and creating over 1.5 lakh jobs.
“Karnataka alone accounts for 25% of the market and contributes ₹1,350 crore annually in taxes, making it a key hub.”
Rules vary across India, which can cause confusion for casino players and sports fans, with the Indian Premier League becoming one of the world’s top gambling events.
Land-based casinos are largely prohibited in India but they are allowed in three states – Goa, Daman, and Sikkim – with the trio of locations also allowing online gaming.
