The Indian authorities is contemplating the introduction of a central legislation to control on-line betting, playing, gaming, and lotteries. In accordance with sources, the Union Ministry of Residence Affairs (MHA) not too long ago mentioned the matter in a high-level assembly attended by officers from numerous businesses, together with the Intelligence Bureau.
Authorities’s Deal with New Laws
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been tasked with getting ready a report on the regulation of on-line gaming, playing, and lotteries. A senior authorities official said, “It has been determined that MHA’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) will put together a report primarily based on the discussions concerning the necessity for a brand new legislation to control on-line gaming, playing, betting, and lotteries. Since these actions are increasing quickly, a choice can be made as soon as the report is submitted.”
At present, on-line gaming is regulated below the Ministry of Electronics and Info Expertise (MeitY) by means of the Middleman Tips and Digital Media Ethics Code Guidelines, 2021, framed below the Info Expertise Act, 2000. These guidelines impose obligations on intermediaries, together with on-line gaming platforms, and failure to conform ends in dropping exemption from legal responsibility for third-party content material.
Issues Over Monetary Dangers and Cash Laundering
Officers suspect that on-line betting and playing platforms could manipulate outcomes, resulting in important monetary losses for customers. Moreover, there are considerations that income generated from these actions is being laundered and transferred in small sums by means of cost gateways.
An official communication from the central authorities highlighted a number of dangers related to on-line playing platforms, together with:
- Monetary losses for customers
- Knowledge privateness considerations because of unauthorized entry and storage
- Dependancy-related harms, together with suicide dangers
- Lack of parental management and age restrictions
- Potential for offshore cash laundering
Stricter Oversight for Celebrities and Ads
Authorities sources have indicated that celebrities who endorse on-line playing platforms can also be held accountable below the brand new authorized framework. That is a part of an effort to control deceptive commercials that promote gambling-related actions.
There are additionally considerations over on-line boards and chat rooms, the place customers unknowingly share private info, making them weak to scams and cyber threats. Furthermore, the unrestricted entry some playing apps must system information poses extra safety dangers, growing the potential for hacking and knowledge breaches.
The Path Ahead
As the federal government evaluates stricter legal guidelines, a choice on the framework can be made as soon as I4C submits its findings. Given the fast progress of on-line betting and gaming in India, authorities are more likely to introduce extra stringent laws to curb monetary crimes, improve consumer security, and set up a authorized construction to control the sector successfully.
Supply:
New Law on Online Gaming, Gambling, Betting and Lottery Soon? Govt Takes First Step, news18.com, February 12, 2025.
Filip Radulovic
