Karnataka cabinet approves online gambling ban

However, lottery and horse racing have been excluded from the amendments to the existing Karnataka Police Act.

In a major decision, the Karnataka government has approved a ban on online gambling or betting. However, lottery and horse racing have been excluded from the amendments to the existing Karnataka Police Act.

The state cabinet, which met on Saturday, approved the amendments to the Karnataka Police Act seeking to end online gambling as per high court directions. The state government had informed the High Court in July this year it had drafted a Bill that would ban all forms of online betting and gambling.

With this decision, Karnataka joins Tamil Nadu and Kerala in cracking down on online gambling

Emerging from the Cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said the draft Bill defines online games as those involving all forms of betting, including tokens valued as money paid after or before the issue of it or electronic means and virtual currency. It also includes platforms that involve the electronic transfer of currency in connection with any game of chance.

The amendments will be tabled in the upcoming session of the legislature starting September 13.