Latest news with #PublicGamblingActof1867
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
33 illegal pigeon racing events, kabutarbaazi stopped across Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh
Mohali: In a major crackdown on illegal animal sport, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has successfully intervened to halt 33 unlawful pigeon racing or 'kabutarbaazi' events across 20 districts in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh over the past two months. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Three such events were stopped in Mohali villages, one in Raipur Khurd (Chandigarh), and 28 across Punjab, including Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, and Sangrur, where the most recent raids were conducted this week. The operations were carried out in coordination with senior police officials in all three jurisdictions. PETA India had filed complaints citing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, both of which prohibit activities that inflict unnecessary suffering on animals. They also referenced a 2020 advisory from the Animal Welfare Board of India that declared such races illegal, equating them to animal fights under the law. "Pigeons feel pain and fear just like humans. Using them in races is not only cruel but also unlawful," said Meet Ashar, PETA India's Legal Advisor and Director of Cruelty Response. He praised Punjab ADGP (Traffic) Amardeep Singh Rai and the Chandigarh and Haryana Police for their prompt action and urged continued vigilance to prevent further such events. PETA also highlighted the harsh conditions the birds endure — often caged in filthy spaces, force-fed drugs like opium, and made to fly until exhaustion. Betting, a criminal offence under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, is often associated with these races. PETA has urged citizens to report any upcoming pigeon races or similar events to local authorities and support enforcement efforts by providing evidence such as videos, posters, or social media links.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
The Regulatory Maze: What Indian Businesses Need to Know About Online Gaming and Gambling
A quick look at the gambling industry in India and it soon becomes apparent that it's booming. There are reports that state the industry will be worth more than $5 billion by the end of 2025. The industry is being driven by increasing smartphone penetration, cheap data, and a younger population. This has all come together to offer vast opportunities across the country. However, despite the boom, there are still legal considerations and challenges. If businesses want to be involved in this scene, they need to be fully informed. Skill Vs Chance and the Law The gambling laws in India are focused on whether a game is based on luck or skill. Games of skill are mostly legal across the country, while games of chance are classed as outright gambling and these fall under much stricter scrutiny. Rulings from India's Supreme Court have upheld games such as rummy and fantasy sports as being ones that are based on high levels of skill. This means that they are allowed by law. However, the problem here is that individual states have the power to make their own laws when it comes to gaming and betting, meaning that there's a slack of consistency. This makes it difficult for businesses as what's allowed in one state may well be illegal in another. As an example, states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have all made moves to outlaw all real-money online even includes games of skill. Then there's the likes of Sikkim and Nagaland that have now introduced licensing regimes for online gaming and this gives a much clearer regulatory framework. A Look at the Main Legislation At a national level, it's the Public Gambling Act of 1867 that governs gambling activities in India. Moves to fully legalise gambling would need to see this law receiving a major overhaul. It dates back to colonial times and it clearly states that visiting a gambling house isn't allowed. However, given the age of the law, there's obviously no mention of online gambling. This makes it a grey area. Recognising that the industry was gaining traction, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 were introduced. Here, a set of obligations was placed on online gaming intermediaries, including due diligence, parental controls, and other measures. There were further changes in 2023 when the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology amended the IT Rules. This was to include specific provisions for online gaming, requiring platforms to register with self-regulatory bodies. It was also stated that only permissible games can be offered, meaning ones that do not involve wagering or betting. State-Level Confusion and Compliance Challenges The biggest issue to be faced by businesses entering the online gaming industry in India is the lack of uniformity across the country. Each state has its own take on how the law can be interpreted and also has the power to set its own, and there can be major differences. Examples include: Sikkim and Nagaland offer licensing systems for online games, including poker and rummy. Kerala initially banned online rummy but this was overruled by the High Court. Karnataka briefly banned all forms of online gaming that involved stakes but this was also overruled. This approach means that businesses need to geo-fence their services so that they can avoid legal penalties. Companies have a great need for legal teams that are able to keep check of the laws as these are constantly evolving. The Categorisation of Games The reality is that it's not always easy to categorise a game as one of skill or chance. If you look at operators offering Royal Riches software, with it being a version of roulette, it could be argued that this is simply a game of luck. However, others would argue that betting strategies and bankroll management mean that this is more about skill. The confusion leaves operators disabling games depending on the region that they are operating in. At times they simply need to switch off features so that they can hit local compliance rules. Offshore Licensing and Regulatory Tensions More and more operators across India are operating under offshore licenses offered by the likes of Curacao, Malta, and Gibraltar. These licenses allow operators to offer gambling services globally, but that doesn't mean that they sit in line with Indian laws, especially when state level can override international decisions and rulings. Offshore operators argue that licensing means that they are operating under reputable conditions and that they ensure fair play and transparency. However, Indian authorities are concerned that they are unable to wield any real control when operators are based outside of the country. When looking at live casino games that are regulated and licensed in Europe, there needs to be a degree of localisation for them to be accepted in India. The likes of excel here, by creating live games that are given a local feel so that they appeal to specific markets. These can often be enjoyed by players using VPNs who are satisfied that operators are working to international levels of compliance that ensure their safety and protection. The Road Ahead The demand for online gambling is only set to grow in India in coming years. This means that there is a real need for a centralised regulatory framework sooner rather than later. The law either needs to open up and accept most forms of online gambling or it needs to be reformed so that there is a clear distinction between games of luck and chance. Businesses trying to operate in this area need to be careful and perform regular legal audits. There needs to be close attention paid to state-level legislation while hoping for nationwide change and conformity. There is also a need to ensure that they only partner with software platforms that are proven in the area. This will help to ensure that compliance is understood and mitigate any risk.
