Online Gaming Bill faces legal backlash

THE PROMOTION AND Regulation of Online Gaming Bill has taken the legal fraternity by surprise.

- JYOTSNA BHATNAGAR

Top lawyers have described it as a draconian measure that not only threatens a booming ₹2-lakh crore industry but also endangers the livelihood of lakhs of people employed in the sector. They said the contentious Bill carries severe legal ramifications.

Expressing her deep disappointment, Ranjana Adhikari, head of technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, said: "This step is deeply disappointing and contrary to the expectations that this sunrise industry had from the regulators. In the past few years, this industry has contributed significantly to India's digital economy and Make-in-India vision, through tax revenue, job creation and innovation. The Bill also seemingly disregards long-standing legal precedents that protect the right to pursue legitimate businesses like skill gaming as fundamental rights. Blanket bans will only push the consumer to illegal sites, and expose the user to more vulnerability."