online gambling: RUE-LETTE: The human cost of online gambling
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There has been a 15-20% increase in the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction after the lockdown. Ashwini, 17, is under psychiatric treatment. He started playing some games as a way to redeem reward points. What started as fun and games quickly became a habit. He borrowed money from friends and stole valuables from home. His father confronted him and he confessed to his addiction. Dr Manoj Sharma, professor at NIMHANS Bengaluru’s SHUT clinic that tackles tech de-addiction, says people were driven by boredom and lack of work to go online during the pandemic.
Bidding and gambling are illegal in India except in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland. The colonial-era Public Gambling Act does leave room for an exception for games of skill. Tamil Nadu governor approved an ordinance to ban online gambling. Domestic gaming companies argue that there is no uniformity in laws which differ from state to state. E-Gaming Federation wants a central regulation to protect the interests of players and industry. In August, the government set up a task force to frame policy for the sector. Technology and gaming lawyer Jay Sayta says all games should be regulated.
