Casinos have been entertaining people for time immemorial now. Gambling has been there in a lot of aspects at its offerings, be it a sport, car racing, animal fighting, or any other format. But to play casino games, like blackjack, roulettes, or slot machines, or for that matter to play video slots online, what we need the most is a safe legal platform. Although despite being so crucially attached to the nation, there is still a big question if the online casino landscape is legal or not. And that question has been raising uncountable suspicion in the minds of millions, and might have deterred a lot of them from taking this up. Some websites are approved, whilst others are not. Even the so called websites aren’t legal completely.

ONLINE GAMING:

Gaming has two different parts: one is gaming(casually and socially) and the other one is gambling. As per the Indian law, both betting and gambling are considered to be gaming. It has been included as the subject under the legislation of Indian Constitution(7th schedule). Online games attain their license mostly from “Games of Skill” guidelines under the PGA( Public Gaming Act) 1867. But the gray area exists at the fact that there are no specific laws which enable monitoring of the gaming atmosphere completely.

IS ONLINE GAMBLING FULLY EQUAL?

The state governments manage the online gaming platforms like the skill games and casino table games and slots. However, the status of overall online gambling picture is not certain. There is no distinction in the sports betting platforms and gambling platforms. Instead, there is a rough division in the following heads:

1)   Games of Skill

2)   Games of Chance

3)   Games of both Skill and Chance

GAMES OF SKILL:

These games fall under the criteria of online skill games. This type of gaming is considered to be completely legal and there is no ambiguity about that.

GAMES OF PURE CHANCE:

The games which are based on pure chances are not given permission by the state government, expecting few cases, like sports betting.

GAMES OF BOTH SKILL AND CHANCE:

These games require usage few proven skills but also utilizes chances as well. These can be permitted under circumstances however they have very little avenue compared to the pure skill ones. 

THE REASONS FOR LEGALISATION OF FEW GAMES AND NOT ALLOWING OTHERS:

For us to understand the status quo, we need to get the nuances associated with it. Gambling is in itself an extremely sensitive issue and there are numerous avenues by which it can absolutely destroy the player. Limiting of these unfair means is the reason of legalisation. Legalisation is a tool the government utilises to have an overarching view over the whole landscape of gambling, and that vigilance is excessively necessary to not let a man lose his hard earned money because of fraudulent practices of a few.

However, legalisation also provides with certain independent positives. To many a few, there will be greater chances of employments, the revenue to the government increases and better and legal services are provided.

CURRENT GAMBLING MARKET:

The gambling market of India has been ever prolific and with online gambling being available, it just makes it easier for the bettor to place bets conveniently whenever there is a chance for him to. However, it is still developing. The state of Sikkim had decided to provide with 3 different licences for online gambling from 2010. On the October of 2014, the government finally issued their first gambling licence. As of now, there is no law applicable for casino sites which aren’t based in India.

There are numerous gaming software providers and even affiliate sites which are running casino sites in India. Games like BlackJack, Roulette, Slot machines, Baccarat are getting more traffic than ever before. Flish, Andar Bahar are few games which are quite preferred by players as well.

The Indian gambling market has been instrumental in gathering huge amount of revenue which is in an ever increasing trend for the last 11 years. According to the last 276th report of Indian Law Commission, the value of the gambling market is about to become 1 billion dollars very soon.

ALL INDIA GAMING FOUNDATION:

With such a massive increase in industry, there is a necessity of proper regulation. This federation contains selected members of different political parties deciding on different facets of legalisation, regulation and etaxing of the online gaming sector under the powers of a centralised authority. Regulation of web-based gambling increases employment and polices illegal activities. AIGF are also working with state governments and organisations in order to provide 26% FDI to enable a full legalisation of online gaming portals. The Lodha Committee is also working towards making the two ends meet.