Karnataka becomes the next state to propose a ban on online games involving betting and wagering, according to a Reuters report. 

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The state is proposing an amendment to the Karnataka Police Act to ban games of aforementioned categories — games or ‘any act or risking money or otherwise on the unknown result of an event including on a game of skill’ as per the bill spotted by Reuters. 

Offences under the law already attract prison time, but the new amendment proposal could increase these penalties going forward. 

Karnataka government is seeking a ban on such apps after witnessing youngsters from rural areas who were idle during the pandemic have now been driven towards habitual gambling through such apps. 

With this proposal, Karnataka becomes the fourth state to seek such a ban after Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. According to anonymous industry experts highlighted in the report, these states account for 20 percent of the total business for such apps. 

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While bans in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been in place for the past few years, Tamil Nadu, which was the most recent one on this list, has seen the bill subsequently struck down by its high court. 

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According to Sandeep Chilana, a Delhi-based lawyer in conversation with Reuters, such laws don’t have a strong standing since the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that skilled games (which apps like Dream11 and other fantasy games categorise themselves as) are not gambling. 

He highlights that states overreaching will face legal challenges if they intend to go ahead with such bans. 

Do you think these apps fit in the category of online gaming or do you think such apps are trying to tarnish the reputation of online gaming and esports? Tell us in the comments below.

For more gaming and technology news, keep visiting Indiatimes.com, and let us know in the comments below if you think online betting and fantasy sports games need to be banned to protect people from gambling away their fortunes.