The beginnings of Indian technology and industry organizations have raised concerns and demanded clarification on the Karnataka government’s ban on online gambling.
Rameesh Kailasam, CEO of IndiaTech.org, an industrial organization representing Indian founders and investors, to urge the Karnataka government to release the necessary public statements as soon as possible to clear up the Karnataka ecosystem.
They also demanded clarification on certain sections of the bill that say they are at risk of being mistakenly interpreted to work in all legitimate online businesses, he said.
Indiatech.org, which lists Ola, MakeMyTrip, and Steadview Capital as its members, also recommended that the government should enact the necessary laws that would clearly distinguish and release skills games in the amendments to the Karnataka Police Amendment Bill (Amendment), 2021 There are many high court decisions and The highest order we can make is for governments to come to terms with their actions, “he said.
The organization also introduced basic guiding principles that will enable the government to distinguish clearly by defining “Online Games and Online Games” which are more capable and likely to have no gambling and betting, he said.
The Karnataka legislature passed a bill for the amendment of the Karnataka Police Act (Amendment) Act, 2021 yesterday, after submitting it to a meeting on September 17. You want to ban all forms of online games where money is involved.
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The amendment comes after a public hearing was filed in the Karnataka High Court to ban online gambling. However, it removed the difference between the game of skill and the game of luck, thus bringing about the start of games based on skills under their perception. The bill proposes a term of imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh for offenders.
“The proposed law does not prohibit online games that directly link to skill games. The government, however, will deal with operators and payers who operate hidden games such as skills games. of India.
Former Karnataka IT Minister and Congressman Priyank Kharge however say the government needs to clarify and identify games that promote betting instead of banning clothing from all online games. “The government should set up a committee and stakeholders in the industry and come up with a law that prohibits online betting instead of a bill that does not protect the law,” he said on Twitter.
Ranjana Adhikari, Partner – Media, Entertainment & Gaming, TMT Practice group IndusLaw, said the approach to imposing a ban on the gaming industry was not in line with the government’s threats and unfortunately the government chose to adopt a step back to the gaming industry.
In August, the Madras Supreme Court overturned a similar Tamil Nadu declaration banning online gambling in November last year. Last week, Telangana General Secretary for IT, Electronics and Communications Jayesh Ranjan also said that a clothing ban is not a solution and one needs to differentiate between skill games and lucky games.
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“The sector has made a significant contribution to the Indian economy even in the unprecedented downturn and is expected to raise more than $ 3 billion by 2025. The Karnataka government’s move to restore the state’s image of technology and start-up capital,” said Roland Landers, CEO , All India Gaming Federation.
