India is planning a major crackdown on illegal betting and gambling apps that breach the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regulations. Illegal betting and gambling has increased during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the election season facilitating this move despite having regulations restricting such activities.
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The Ministry of Consumer Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is requesting action against indirect or surrogate ads that promote the illegal activities. The ministry will enforce strict measures and fines to ban betting and gambling apps and prevent their spread.
Betting and Gambling in India
According to the Public Gaming Act of 1867, betting and gambling are prohibited in most parts of India. Even with set regulations, online betting sites go ahead to advertise their services and this has brought various concerns on social-economic and financial impacts among young people.
India has the second-largest gaming market after China with 15.4 billion game downloads in FY23. Estimates indicate that the gaming market in India is predicted to reach $3.1 billion in FY23 and is expected to grow to $7.5 billion by FY28.
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Regulating Regulators
“We don’t want to regulate regulators. Online gaming falls under MeitY’s purview, so we have asked them to review compliance issues with gaming apps and prepare a list of violators and the trend of its users,” said one of two people cited above.
Bet on Indian Premier League with Bet365Risks of Excessive Gaming
There are several risks associated with online gaming some of these risks include:
- Addiction;
- Health issues as a result of length screen time;
- Social isolation;
- Financial loss;
- Privacy and security issues;
- Cyberbullying;
- Negative effects from aggressive games.
“Betting through online gaming apps is a serious issue, and the Consumer Affairs Ministry should take a strong stance on it. Betting apps are preying on vulnerable individuals, and the CCPA should implement stricter regulations to protect consumers and address their concerns. The surrogate advertising to catch unaware consumers as detected by ASCI every month needs to be tackled with a firm stand, specially the overseas operators "Ashim Sanyal, CEO and secretary, Consumer Voice said.
The ministry will also work with Bengaluru National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences to study disruptive impulse control behavioral patterns of online gaming that lead to vulnerabilities.
The research findings will act as frame guidelines to protect users in online gambling. The report also aims to help the industry ensure technology is maximized to reduce risk. Meity has dropped having a self-regulatory body for online gaming and is working to come up with an independent regulator that will only allow registered platforms to provide e-gaming services in India.
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