According to experts, the gaming industry is estimated to reach $3 billion by 2022. In the last five years, the gaming industry has attracted over $350 million in venture capital investments from big names such Tencent, Sequoia, Raine, Tiger Global, Chryscapital, Matrix, and Kalaari.
Which states have banned online gaming?
Several states including Odisha, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu have banned online games that involve money. While some states banned all kinds of online games involving betting, others allowed games that involved skills or chances. Recently, the government of Karnataka has also banned all forms of online gaming including wagering, betting, and gambling of all nature and forms.
Why is so difficult to ban online gaming completely?
The ban is driven by the need to protect the citizens who were falling for gambling and ruining their families and even leading to suicides. That said, the governments have been accused of interfering with the lives of people. The ban has upset not only the gaming industry but all those who were getting employment due to gaming. There have been arguments such as the need to restore the difference between the game of chance and games of skill and to allow the game of skill to continue. Other arguments like trading in the stock market is also a form of betting is coming to the fore and that online gaming has kept many people entertained especially during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is not a small issue to handle, is it worth banning online gaming in India? Should the government tell people what needs to be done even when such people are not harming anyone else? What is your opinion? Let us know in the comment section below.
