Should gambling be regulated or banned? What the state gambling ban in Karnataka means for the rest of India
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Gambling in Karnataka is standing at a crossroads.
Along with the Internet, gambling has evolved over the years. From dingy backrooms to reputable online sites, it’s become much safer to play casino games than it was in the past.
International sites used to be very generic, ignoring local player preferences. Now people will find more and more sites that embrace Indian players, really taking Bharat into context when putting together their games offering.
Many online casinos now offer Teen Patti and Andar Bahar, alongside the more international poker, blackjack and real money roulette online.
But on a wider scale what does this mean for the average Indian player in Karnataka? Laws seem to be all over the place. At a national level gambling is regulated by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, an outdated law created in a different era.
Some Indian states are very open to gambling, allowing you to play wherever you find yourself. Other states go the other way, making it almost impossible to place bets on pretty much anything.
Back in September 2021, the Karnataka state legislature passed an amendment to the Karnataka Police Act to enforce a complete ban on gambling within the state.
But would gambling regulation be a better way forward?
Modern-day gambling still a grey area in most of India
Most states in India don’t have strict laws outlawing online betting or casinos. That’s not to say that these states have taken a strong stance on these laws, only that they haven’t made any definitive laws against modern gambling.
During the height of covid-19, there was a worry about unhealthy betting habits, so several states around the country tried to implement stricter gambling legislation.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have all sought to ban online real-money wagering.
Almost all states have met serious barriers. Most recently Tamil Nadu has seen pushback from the supreme court when trying to outlaw all games of skill (and chance) in the state.
Will the same happen with the amended Karnataka Police Act?
Indian gambling law reform is due to move forward
The idea of regulated gambling in India, as opposed to an outright ban, is still quite new.
Under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, only games of skill are allowed.
But what constitutes a game of skill? Horse racing, poker, fantasy sports and rummy have all been considered games of skill in the past.
So, how is a choice made? At the moment it is up to each state. But ideally, India should be striving for a national law that allows for a standardised set of laws pertaining to gambling.
My verdict: should gambling be regulated or banned?
When making a suggestion on what the Indian gambling regulation should look like, there are several aspects that must be taken into consideration.
To level, the playing field legislation must reflect the current state of affairs. While many states in India have chosen to update an outdated act for themselves, it is time for national law to reflect the same.
A choice must be made in each state between a complete ban on (online) gambling and regulation of placing real money bets online.
Even an outright ban on gambling, won’t stop people from placing bets on their favourite outcomes.
Creating local regulations on gambling will create great opportunities for online gamblers and the rest of the country.
While players stand the chance to win lotteries, casino games and bets on sports events, their real win might be one of the greater benefits.
Regulating gambling will make it much easier to implement taxes on winnings. Money raised from these taxes can then in turn go to good social causes.
The introduction of any new industry to an area leads to job creation and will have a positive effect on employment rates.
Even in terms of problem gambling, regulation can provide clear guidelines to online casinos on how to better manage this issue. For example, rules can be set up making it easy for gamblers to self-exclude or set time and deposit limits.
The benefits of regulation far outweigh any possible drawbacks.
