Mumbai: In a bold move to tackle the growing threat of unregulated online betting and gambling, the Karnataka government has proposed the formation of a dedicated Karnataka Online Gaming and Betting Regulatory Authority through a new legislative amendment — The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The proposed bill seeks to create a transparent and accountable regulatory mechanism to distinguish between games of skill and chance, offering greater consumer protection and clarity in India’s rapidly evolving online gaming landscape.
Welcoming the development, Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), stated, “A clear distinction between games of skill and chance, backed by progressive regulation, is essential to ensure consumer protection and foster responsible growth in the online gaming sector. Karnataka, home to the largest and most vibrant gaming ecosystem in the country, has taken a significant step forward by supporting the industry through a transparent and consultative approach. As the oldest and largest industry federation, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has consistently advocated for balanced regulation rooted in user safety and responsible innovation.”
While commending Karnataka’s state-level initiative, AIGF emphasized the urgent need for a national regulatory framework to effectively tackle cross-border gambling threats and provide a uniform structure for enforcement.
“While we applaud the state government’s initiative, we also believe that state-level laws alone may not be sufficient to curb the growing menace of offshore gambling platforms, which operate beyond India’s jurisdiction, offer no consumer recourse and are emerging as one of the biggest national security threats. Addressing this challenge requires a strong national framework that brings together all relevant stakeholders — to effectively regulate and monitor the ecosystem. Only through such a unified and coordinated approach can we ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of India’s online gaming industry,” Landers added.
With Karnataka’s proposal marking a strong precedent, the industry now looks to the central government to craft a comprehensive regulatory policy that can harmonize state efforts and safeguard millions of Indian consumers engaging with online gaming platforms.
