India Demands Regulation for Games of Skill

Across the globe, online gambling is rapidly becoming increasingly popular with more players taking an interest.  

The current drive is for regulatory bodies to implement the proper framework to create a safe and secure gaming environment.  

Now India’s skill gaming industry is lobbying for standardised regulations across skill-based games.  

 The Need for Consistency 

India’s call for safer gambling laws started in December 2020 when NITI Aayog put forward draft guidelines for a Fantasy Sports regulator. It was stated that there is a need not just to supervise but support this booming industry. From there the flames were lit with several other sectors of the skill-gaming industry wanting to be a part of the deal.  

The CEO of the Online Rummy Federation, Sameer Barde, believes it is a brilliant move to have fair regulations for the online skill gaming industry in India and doesn’t see why his field should be left out. He continued that fantasy games are merely a part of the entire skill-gaming industry and that it is important to keep this in mind. More so, the need for regulations on the broader skill gaming industry has increased.  

The all-round game developer, Games24x7 is of the same opinion and wants NITI Aayog to have a more future-based approach by recommending a framework that applies to all games of skill.  

Bhavin Pandya, Games24x7 co-founder and CEO commented: 

“Fantasy is one game of skill, and while distinctions have been made in the media between fantasy and other games of skill, the judgements which rule that fantasy is a game of skill are based on the 1996 Supreme Court judgement which rules horseracing and rummy to be games of skill… In law, there is no distinction between fantasy sports and any other game of skill.”  

Games24x7 develops in various fields ranging from rummy to fantasy sports and other casual games.  

 An Industry Desperate for Normalcy 

At this point in time, the Indian skill gaming industry is in desperate need of some normalcy.  

The industry is hungry for firm establishment as legislators push for broader gambling laws. One thing is certain and that is that gambling is set to stay within India.  

Residents are known for their deep love of gambling and the only viable solution is to create a broad set of regulations that will run across the entire gambling skill gaming industry.  

Skill gaming is legal in the country but local courts are spending a lot of time in debate. The main arguments revolving around what should be considered skill gaming and if it should be allowed at all.  

There has also been an appeal made to change the legal game status of Poker, allowing it to be legally considered a game of skill rather than a game of chance. In India, it is currently classified as a game of chance but advocates are pushing for it to be reclassified. The hearing date is set for 17th of February 2021.