Ban On Online Gambling In Karnataka Surfaces Again

by Manthra Koliyer Posted on 05 Dec, 2020

We recently reported about the state of Karnataka joining the bandwagon of South Indian states that banned online gambling. The recent lead into the issue of online gambling is a PIL that has raised a concern about the same again. 

A plea filed by Sharada D.R., a resident of Davanagere pointing out that there is an urgent need to regularize online gambling in the state. The plea elaborated that the ban is essential as vulnerable sections of society, specially the youth are exposed to hazardous and predatory situations. The plea also emphasizes that the existing provisions of the Karnataka Police Act mere put restrictions but do not entirely elaborate on the requirements for the current situation. 

The petition reads as, “The state has no mechanism to monitor whether any online game or activity is a game of chance or involves skill. For instance, it is well-settled today that the Game of Rummy is a game of skill. However, what holds good for the game in the offline mode may not be true for the online mode. The state has not bothered to create any monitoring mechanism to ascertain whether the online Rummy offered by various virtual gaming platforms.”

The petitioner also mentioned the examples of the High court of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu that have directed their respective states to regularize online gambling their state due to the recent issues that they encountered. Acting on the plea, the Karnataka High Court has ordered issue of notice to the state government on the PIL. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice S, Vishwajith Shetty have directed the state to submit a response before January 12, 2021.

This will result in serious concerns for the industry as predominant users that play online rummy, poker etc are from the south Indian states. To know more about online gambling regulations, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com.

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