New Public Policy on Online Gaming in India

If you play poker or online rummy in Tamil Nadu, the police will fine you INR 10000.00 and you will go to jail for two years.

TN Government replaced the ordinance of Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930 (Tamil Nadu Act III of 1930) and extend the application throughout the State to make consequential amendments to the Chennai City Police Act, 1888.

During 2020-21, India saw that 173 million USD investment in the online gaming industry and in the fantasy sports industry. During the lockdown, India saw a 46% increase in 'time spent on online games'.

There are 300 million games available online for Indians to choose from.

But fantasy sports is illegal in Assam, Telangana, and Odhisa.

Now, Tamil Nadu also changed the rules of the game.

The challenges to address by the policymakers are very complex.

What is fantasy sports and what is a real money game? What online sports are legal and what is illegal?

Above all, how the government is going to regulate and punish the 'online players'?

The corporate sector in this domain needs to start working hard closely with the Public Policy ecosystem really hard.