The government of India is moving forward on a centralized gaming regulation framework for online gaming.
India’s skill-based gaming industry is churning out profits and lawmakers would like to launch online gaming towards a similar result.
The Prime Minister’s Office said recently that the “Draft Guiding Principles for the Uniform National-level Regulation of Online Fantasy Sports Platforms in India” that were developed by a think tank will soon be deliberated by the Council of Ministers.
Currently each individual state regulates online gaming. Casinos are only allowed in Goa and Sikkim, while other states permit skill-based gaming. But the legality of skill-based games and fantasy sports are under challenge in the courts.
A centralized gaming policy would clear up a lot of confusion, proponents argue. Others are hoping for a positive ruling on Fantasy Sports by India’s Supreme Court. A source told Asia Gaming Brief, “Such a decision which treats fantasy sports positively would be of immense benefit to fantasy sports operators and the overall online skill gaming sector as it would provide much needed certainty with regard to the legal status of the game.”
