Online betting authority: Gaming body hails Karnataka move; calls for national framework

The All-India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has called for a national framework to curb the “menace of offshore gambling platforms” that operate beyond India’s jurisdiction while hailing Karnataka’s plans to set up an online gaming and betting regulatory authority.

The southern state has planned to move a bill in the upcoming session of the legislature to amend the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, to set up the authority and define its role.

“While we applaud the state government’s initiative, we also believe that state-level laws alone may not be sufficient to curb the growing menace of offshore gambling platforms, which operate beyond India’s jurisdiction, offer no consumer recourse and are emerging as one of the biggest national security threats,” Roland Landers, CEO of AIGF, said in a statement.


Addressing this challenge requires a strong national framework that brings together all relevant stakeholders to effectively regulate and monitor the ecosystem. Only through such a unified and coordinated approach can we ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of India’s online gaming industry, he added.

A clear distinction between games of skill and chance, backed by progressive regulation, is essential to ensure consumer protection and foster responsible growth in the online gaming sector. Karnataka, home to the largest and most vibrant gaming ecosystem in the country, has taken a significant step forward by supporting the industry through a transparent and consultative approach, Landers said.

The state government has proposed an authority to oversee, regulate and enforce the law banning betting in online games of chance.

The amendment seeks to prohibit all forms of online betting, wagering, or gambling involving games of chance, including the use of money, tokens, virtual currency, or electronic funds. The bill, however, exempts games of skill from the prohibition, operated by licensed firms.

The draft bill put out by the government says the authority would have a chairperson and three members. The body will define games of skill and chance based on judicial precedents and industry standards and issue licenses to skill-based gaming platforms. It will also monitor and investigate unregistered platforms and illegal betting activities.

The bill makes it clear that any person or entity seeking to operate a skill-based gaming platform in Karnataka must seek a license from the authority. The official body will prescribe eligibility criteria, including know-your-customer (KYC) verification and anti-money laundering compliance. Only persons of 18 years of age and above can participate in skill gaming activities.