The Indian authorities is contemplating the introduction of a central legislation to regulate on-line betting, playing, gaming, and lotteries. According to sources, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) not too long ago mentioned the matter in a high-level assembly attended by officers from varied companies, together with the Intelligence Bureau.
Government’s Focus on New Regulations
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been tasked with making ready a report on the regulation of on-line gaming, playing, and lotteries. A senior authorities official said, “It has been decided that MHA’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) will prepare a report based on the discussions regarding the need for a new law to regulate online gaming, gambling, betting, and lotteries. Since these activities are expanding rapidly, a decision will be made once the report is submitted.”
Currently, on-line gaming is regulated beneath the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) by means of the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, framed beneath the Information Technology Act, 2000. These guidelines impose obligations on intermediaries, together with on-line gaming platforms, and failure to comply ends in dropping exemption from legal responsibility for third-party content material.
Concerns Over Financial Risks and Money Laundering
Officials suspect that on-line betting and playing platforms might manipulate outcomes, main to vital monetary losses for customers. Furthermore, there are issues 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:
- Financial losses for customers
- Data privateness issues due to unauthorized entry and storage
- Addiction-related harms, together with suicide dangers
- Lack of parental management and age restrictions
- Potential for offshore cash laundering
Stricter Oversight for Celebrities and Advertisements
Government sources have indicated that celebrities who endorse on-line playing platforms may additionally be held accountable beneath the brand new authorized framework. This is a part of an effort to regulate deceptive ads that promote gambling-related actions.
There are additionally issues over on-line boards and chat rooms, the place customers unknowingly share private data, making them susceptible to scams and cyber threats. Moreover, the unrestricted entry some playing apps have to system information poses extra safety dangers, rising the potential for hacking and knowledge breaches.
The Path Forward
As the federal government evaluates stricter legal guidelines, a choice on the framework might be made as soon as I4C submits its findings. Given the fast development of on-line betting and gaming in India, authorities are possible to introduce extra stringent rules to curb monetary crimes, improve consumer security, and set up a authorized construction to govern the sector successfully.
Source:
New Law on Online Gaming, Gambling, Betting and Lottery Soon? Govt Takes First Step, news18.com, February 12, 2025.
