India set to introduce new online gambling law - report
India is reportedly considering the introduction of a new federal law to regulate online gambling, according to a report by Next.io that cites local Indian media.
Unnamed sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have indicated that the ministry is evaluating the need for a fresh online gaming law. A recent meeting convened at the Home Ministry saw participation from key representatives of various agencies, including the nation's internal security and intelligence agency, who came together to discuss this pressing issue.
This development follows the introduction of a self-regulatory framework for the skill-based gaming industry by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2023.
However, the self-regulation approach—entrusting oversight to non-governmental organizations—has faced criticism due to significant regulatory gaps. The MHA’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is tasked with drafting a report that will address the need for new legislation encompassing online gaming, casino gambling, sports betting, and lotteries, as confirmed by an official to News18.
While the specifics of the proposed law remain unclear, it is anticipated that if lawmakers decide to regulate iGaming and sports betting, India could emerge as one of the largest markets in the world for these activities. Cricket betting, in particular, has been identified as an industry with considerable growth potential.
Despite some recent successes in India's nascent skill-based gaming sector, the path to further expansion has been obstructed by a substantial 28% goods and services tax.
