A recent decision by the Karnataka government turned the focus on India’s online gaming industry. As per Karnataka’s Police Amendment Act, online gaming and gambling through the internet or mobile applications will be prohibited. In addition to this, those found helping such online gambling will likewise be punished. Furthermore, the punishment ranges from a 1 lakh fine to serving an 18-month prison term. What is fascinating however is that gambling through lottery or betting on horse races will in any case be permitted.

Be that as it may, Karnataka isn’t the first state entangled in such discussion. Quite recently, the Madras high court had passed an order striking down a law in Tamil Nadu that restricted online games like rummy and poker. Karnataka reasons that it needs to distinguish between a game of chance versus a game of skill and characterizes online games as an act of risking money.

Addressing ET Now in regards to the new law Roland Landers, CEO of the All India Gaming Federation said that the ambiguity had left all stakeholders completely befuddled. Particularly for a state like Karnataka where a ton is riding on the crores of rupees worth of investments made in the sector.

“Our understanding is that games of skill may likewise be brought under the law. We have made an adequate portrayal to every one of the stakeholders as yet confident that online games of skill are kept aside” he added.

Strangely, the former minister for IT in the state Priyank Kharge was among the many to slam the government move that could harm the state’s picture as an IT hub. He tweeted that “Govt needs to be more specific and identify games that encourage betting instead of a blanket ban for all online games.”

“Govt should form a committee with industry stakeholders and come out with a law that curbs online betting instead of a bill that won’t stand the test of law” Kharge tweeted.

In the meantime, The Kerala High Court on Monday, lifted the restriction on online rummy naming it a Game of Skill proceeding to express that the boycott was illegal.

Credits: ETNOWNEWS.com