With the world trying to shift its paradigm on the years-long debate over online gaming and gambling, Indian laws are also evolving to put a halt on the questions of morality and ethics.
There are no specific laws dedicated to online gaming, online fantasy sports, online poker, etc. in India which makes it difficult for the gaming enthusiasts to indulge into the uncertain world of online gaming. The Supreme Court rejected a petition related to the legality of online poker, online rummy and online card games in India.
Supreme Court accepts lottery and horse racing as legal, but the laws regarding other games are still hazy.
The advent of the internet has expanded the horizons of the gaming industry, but in the absence of appropriate regulations, online gaming in India in many states is controlled by the available gaming and gambling legislation. Only a few states have answered the quandary of online gaming laws.
While some states have maintained an unambiguous stance over playing online games on their premises, others have strictly prohibited betting in any form within their boundaries:
Although the game of skill is not considered as gambling, the district court of Delhi observed that when skill-based games are played for money in virtual space, the same would be regarded as illegal as the degree of manipulations increase in the virtual area.
Central legislation must uniformly distinguish and regulate the online game of skill and gaming on the online platform.
There persists the requirement of Central legislation to uniformly distinguish and regulate the online game of skill from gambling on the online platform.