Earlier this month , the Karnataka cabinet decided to impose a ban on online games.
India being the fourth largest online gaming market in the world . Karnataka’s decision on banning online games involving betting and wagering , could prove detrimental to the revenues of large gaming platforms such as dream 11.
India categories games into two main parts – games of skills and games of chance . Karnataka assembly has passed an amendment to the Karnataka police act , 1963 .
Which seeks to ban online gaming and curtail online gambling. CM Basavaraj Bommai said the proposal is not valid for online games that strictly comply with “ games of skills”.
The Karnataka police (amendment) bill , 2021 was introduced in the Karnataka assembly by the state home minister, Aroha Jnandera. It comes after the state government received several complaints regarding cyber fraud.
The minister said he has personally come across instances where youth , earning a meagre income , has lost lakhs of rupees in online betting , “ it is leading to rowdyism and other illegal activities in the society “ he said.
Shivani Jha, Director of eSports Players Welfare Association, added that players are not risking money to win an uncertain event while playing skill-based games. “They are paying registration fees for an event with a controlled outcome because skill in involved. This must not be confused with wagering,” Jha added.
