We missed this earlier. Ahead of the upcoming elections, All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), has approached members of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) manifesto committees for suggesting that they include legalisation and regulation of online gaming in their manifesto respectively before the finalising of it. Regulation of gaming is not a part of the Congress manifesto. The industry body says that formally regulating and taxing the online gaming industry under a centralised authority can make it a potential source for the generation of substantial revenues to the exchequer, the creation of jobs, curbing and elimination of unlawful activities, like match-fixing and money laundering. AIGF says that it is working with state governments and authorities to introduce 26% FDI in the segment and legalise gaming related activities. Note that the Lodha committee report has also suggested that it would serve both the game and economy if betting was legalised as has been done in the United Kingdom. Legal landscape related to gaming in India According to the AIGF, gaming is a state subject in India such that state has the power to legislate and enforce an Act regarding gaming. In terms of the states that have their own gaming Act, these Acts are archaic in nature. In the age when the gaming business has gone digital over the years, there is a must need to have a central regulatory framework to regulate the online gaming industry. • The ‘gaming’ industry is said to be consisting of 2…
