The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, drafted with an aim to ban online gambling, proposes a prison term of up to three years and a fine as high as Rs 3 lakh for violators and is likely to be tabled in the upcoming legislature session. The draft Bill was cleared by the Cabinet on Saturday.
The draft Bill defines online games as, games involving all forms of wagering or betting including in the form of tokens valued in terms of the money paid before or after the issue of it or electronic means and virtual currency, also electronic transfer of currency in connection with any game of chance.
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Those aiding and abetting online gaming could face a penalty of up to Rs 10,000 and a jail term of up to six months. The draft Bill also doubles the penalty and jail term for such offenses, mandated under Karnataka Police Act for online gaming offenses.
With states like Tamil Nadu passing an ordinance to ban online gaming (which was later struck down by the Madras High Court) earlier this, Kerala banning online rummy, and now the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, Southern states seem to be turning more and more antagonistic towards online gaming space.
Karnataka government’s cabinet meeting
“We are amending the Karnataka Police Act, with an intention to put an end to online gambling, on the basis of the High Court directions. The cabinet has approved the amendments, it will be placed before the assembly,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said after Saturday’s cabinet meeting.
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Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, he said the government had decided to ban online gambling.
“The draft Bill defines online games as, games involving all forms of wagering or betting including in the form of tokens valued in terms of the money paid before or after the issue of it or electronic means and virtual currency, also electronic transfer of currency in connection with any game of chance,” the Minister said.
He said, however, it does not include lotteries or wagering or betting on horse races done on any racecourse within or outside the state. The amendment bill to this effect will be tabled in the upcoming session of the legislature starting September 13.
The state government in July had informed the High Court, hearing a petition seeking a ban on all forms of online betting and gambling, that it had drafted a bill.