Online Gambling Debate Rages in India Spotlight

An opinion piece from the BBC has put flames beneath the debate surrounding gambling in India after it showcased the dangers of unchecked gambling.

The article focused on Faisal Maqbool, a 31-year-old project coordinator, who says he lost up to 70% of his monthly salary on real money games, which led him to borrow money from friends.

Mr Maqbool's story appears to be a cautionary tale for both sides of the argument - but is there any prospect for the government and pro and anti-gambling lobbyists to compromise on gambling regulation? What are the best methods of ensuring a safe and responsible gambling environment for players? What are the benefits of universal gambling standards in India?

What Is The Latest On Gambling Regulation In India?

On April 1st, a new gaming bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, leaving many optimistic that India would be leaving its 155-year-old Public Gambling Act of 1867 behind.

However, experts have been left somewhat underwhelmed by the new law, with one of the chief complaints revolving around the failure to differentiate between casual and real-money gaming.

In her piece for SevenJackpots, a leading news source on online casinos and casino games, Chief Editor Felicia Wijkander criticizes the bill's inability to address that concern.

She writes: "While we are thrilled to see a regulatory bill leave the skill/chance definitions behind, it does have one major flaw in not being able to differentiate between casual gaming and real money gaming platforms. In short, an online casino shouldn't be regulated in the same way as, for example, a gaming platform offering a first-person shooter game with optional real money features. These games are widely different, and trying to fit them under one umbrella is a recipe for disaster."

The SevenJackpots casino analysis team aren’t the only ones to find flaws with the new bill, but several recent developments are offering cause for optimism to proponents of gambling regulation. Several recent judgements in India have taken steps to quash moves by local governments to ban gambling. The High Courts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Madras all ruled against propositions to outlaw skill gaming. The decisions are thought to suggest a more progressive attitude towards legalizing gambling in India.

A recent article by the National Law Review - a recognized source of legal analysis authored by today's thought leaders - argued for a central law to help tackle the issues raised by illegal gambling in India.

In its piece, The Time for a Central Law for India's Online Gaming Industry is Now, they argue: "It may appear politically incorrect for any government to actively legislate for regulating skill gaming. There may be several protests. However, there does not appear to be any choice left anymore. Courts have made it clear that skill gaming cannot be banned."

Why Regulation And Responsible Gambling Implementation Is Urgent In India

There is a crisis surrounding illegal gambling in India - millions are putting themselves at risk by betting with underground bookmakers. According to a 2016 study by the Doha-based International Centre for Sports Security, $200 million illicitly changes hands whenever India plays a one-day international.

Illegal betting exposes citizens to unsafe conditions - there are no safety measures to protect bettors from identity fraud or money laundering implications. Debts can build up quickly with dangerous gangs, and there is no legal recourse to help bettors deal with any problems that arise.

A central, uniform body to oversee gambling will immediately decimate the underground betting scene. Not only will bettors find themselves in a better-controlled environment, but authorities will also save vast amounts of resources in investigating illegal gambling.

What Are The Benefits To Regulation?

Experts put forward several reasons for regulation in this thought piece:

"Gambling regulation is a tool for governments to ensure that their people only have access to safe means of gambling."

They argue the extensive list of advantages includes:

• Responsible gambling tools & processes
• Stringent marketing guidelines
• Underage gambling prevention
• Anti-Money Laundering processes
• Guaranteed fairness
• Taxation
• Social responsibility
• Player rights

Whether you are against the idea of gambling in India or would like to see it legalized - there is a common thread both sides can agree on. The current state of play is unsustainable - regulation is key to limiting the damage of unchecked and rampant illegal gambling.