Karnataka it minister calls ban on online real money gaming is a ‘knee-jerk move’, regulation is the way forward

Karnataka It Minister Priyank kharge has strongly criticized the center’s proposal to impose a blanket ban on online real money gaming, Calling it another example of “bad POLICYMAKING”. He argued that instead of prohibition, a well-igilated framework is the only way to safeguard jobs, reviews, and National Security.

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What Priyank Kharge Told?

Kharge Warned that the move would have severe economy consequences. According to Him, The Online Real Money Gaming Industry Contributes Nearly 20,000 Crore Annually to State and Central Revenues Through GST and Income Tax. A SUDDEN BAN, He said, would wipe out this income stream.

Highlighting the scale of the sector, the minister pointed out that over 2,000 gaming startups and more than two lakh professionals are engaged in it, AI, and DESIGN ROles Within the Industry. “A Ban Doesn’t Just STIFLE Innovation, it will drive Indian talent abroad and push entrepreneurs to shift base outside the country,” He Cautioned.

The minister also flagged the risk to foreign investments, noting that the industry has attracted 23,000 Crore in FDI in the past five years. He Said Such Capital Inflows would dry up India its itself shut down its own digital ecoSystem. Additionally, an estimated 7,000 Crore Spent Annually on Advertising, Data Center, Sponsorships, and Cyberasecurity would also Vanish, Leading to an “EcoSystem Collapse.”

Kharge further argued that banning platforms will not address concerns over addiction or suicides. INTEAD, it would push users to offshore and unregulated betting sites, which alredy account for a parallel market worth 8.2 Lakh Crore Annually. Such A Shift, He Warned, Carries Risks of Money Laundering, Terror Financing, And Data Theft -Threats Flagged even by the Financial Action Task Force (FOTF) and Rashtriya Raksha UNIVIRSITY.

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Legally too, kharge pointed out, the issue remain unsettled as the supreme court is still examining where the power to regulate gaming lies with the centers with the stations. “Why the rush to ban now?” He Questioned.

As a way forward, the minister suggested regulating skill-based platforms, enforcing the it rules, 2021, and whitelisting legitimate operators. “Balanced Regulation will ensure jobs, revenue, safer users, Stranger National Security, and Innovation.