Students in Indian city rally demand ban on online gambling
Over 800 college students in the southern Indian state of Karnataka’s Bengaluru held a protest march demanding a complete ban on online gambling on Wednesday. The protest, covering around four kilometres from Kengeri Satellite Town to Hoysala Circle, saw participation from Yeshwantpur MLA S.T. Somashekar. Holding placards and chanting slogans, the protesters called on the government to take immediate action against online gambling.
The students said that many families have gone bankrupt, and youth are turning to anti-social activities due to gambling losses. They stressed the negative impact of online gambling on young people, including academic failure, mental health issues and debt traps. The students emphasised that easy access to gambling apps through smartphones has worsened the situation and urged the government to impose a permanent ban.
Suicide over mounting gambling debts
The protest came just a day after three members of a family ended their lives, allegedly after losing money in online gambling in the state’s Mysuru district. The deceased were identified as Josh Anthony, his brother Joby Anthony, and Joby’s wife Sharmila, also known as Swathi.
According to the police, Joby Anthony and Sharmila had lost a significant amount of money by betting on Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches and online gaming. People who had lent them money frequently visited them, demanding repayment. Distressed and under immense pressure, the trio died by suicide. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.
During its tenure, the BJP-led Karnataka government introduced an amendment to the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, banning online betting and wagering games. The ruling BJP had announced that it would not allow online betting, as it was destroying families. In 2022, the High Court struck down guidelines that criminalised online gaming and betting.
Former Speaker and senior Congress leader Ramesh Kumar had raised concerns during a Legislative Session, urging the then BJP government to take strict action against the rapid growth of betting activities.
Gambling in India
Gambling in India remains controversial, with laws varying from state to state. While most states prohibit gambling, exceptions exist for lottery and horse racing. Goa and Sikkim are the only states where casinos are allowed. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 serves as the central legislation, prohibiting the operation of “common gaming houses,” although it makes an exception for “games of skill” like rummy.
Online gambling exists in a legal grey area, with most states lacking specific laws against it. However, states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have banned online gaming, betting, and gambling since 2020. While Sikkim allows online betting through licensed operators, the Information Technology Act prohibits sharing information that promotes online gambling.
Despite these prohibitions, illegal gambling is estimated to generate a $60 billion market in India. The online gambling market alone is predicted to have 12.17 million users, with projections for an annual growth rate of 8.5 percent through 2027.
