ABSTRACT
Online gaming's explosive rise in India has generated both excitement and anxiety, resulting in a complicated and constantly changing regulatory environment. The online gaming sector is flourishing because to the broad availability of internet, the low cost of smartphones, and the rise in computer literacy. However, there are a number of legal and regulatory issues that come with this extension, especially with regard to the distinction between “games of skill” and “games of chance (Writ Petition No. 19570 of 2022, High Court of Karnataka 2023).” The latter frequently falls under gaming laws, which are primarily regulated by individual states and frequently forbidden, therefore the distinction is vital. India lacks a unified national framework for online gaming regulation, which results in conflicting policies and unclear authority. While some states have taken a more progressive approach, and others like Telangana and Tamil Nadu have imposed rigorous limitations. The demand for extensive regulation has also increased because to worries about financial fraud, addiction, underage involvement, and user data protection. This abstract analyzes the laws that currently regulate online gaming in India, looks at significant court rulings, identifies regulatory gaps, and assesses recent government efforts to create a unified regulatory framework (Chandola 2024).
