The gaming law of Andhra Pradesh has also been challenged in the high court. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu’s petitions challenging the decisions of high courts are pending in the Supreme Court. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu passed laws to prohibit both online games of skill and chance but they were challenged in high courts and held to be unconstitutional. “ This creates an uncertain regulatory environment for online gaming companies, which are forced to use technologies such as geo-fencing as their games may be legal in some states, and illegal in others.”

It added some state governments follow Public Gambling Act and allow real money games of skill while others have sought to prohibit both games of skill and chance even as Supreme Court recognised the fundamental right to trade for games of skill. The report called a lack of a uniform regulatory approach for online gaming in state laws a cause for concern. Some states have prohibited both online games of chance and skill involving any real money element.Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.” “Some state laws provide for a licensing mechanism for online games, such as Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. The report noted many state governments have adopted Public Gambling Act as it is but some have also introduced their own legislation. Games of skill are specifically exempted from the scope of the PGA.PGA does not apply to games of skill.”Īlso Read | Centre asks OTT platforms, TV channels to stop betting site ads “The PGA recognizes the distinction between games of skill and games of chance. The report noted Public Gambling Act (PGA) is a pre-internet era law and acts as a model law state governments may or may not adopt. It said an online gaming platform must not allow or facilitate transactions through unauthorised payment systems and encourage or facilitate any money laundering activities financing of terrorism activities or transactions in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, etc.

The report cited inconsistencies in the state laws regarding online gambling while backing central legislation. Also Read | Govt panel pushes for games on Indian epics

Online gaming laws in india