There is no doubt that there is an appetite for using online gaming and casino sites in India. Millions of people in the country use technology to take part in gaming tournaments, play poker and place bets on sporting contests such as the IPL.
This appetite has led to a growing interest in capturing the gambling market in India. It’s a highly prized addition to a global online gambling market that is currently worth around 46 billion U.S. dollars according to Statista. An important development in the ongoing growth in the online gaming industry in India is the legal situation.
The Legality Of The Gaming Industry
The fact is that the only legal ruling that currently directly relates to gambling in India is the Public Gambling Act of 1867. This is an outdated law in terms of the fact that it does not relate to Internet gambling as the technology did not exist in the 19th century.
This means that there is no current overall legislation regarding Internet gambling in India. The only state where online gambling is officially illegal is in Maharashtra. Therefore, across the majority of the country, offshore developers and providers are legitimately able to offer an online casino experience and sports betting to Indian based players and bettors.
Technology Ahead Of The Legal Situation
The legal landscape regarding online betting operators in India may not have developed at the same pace as in other countries. However, the technology to place a bet or play a card game is very much in place. There are approximately 800 million smartphone users in India. This means that, across the country, people are able to listen to music, watch videos and play games wherever they are.
The digital revolution in India is set to continue. Many entertainment providers are investing significant amounts of money in bringing high tech experiences to viewers. For instance, Walmart Inc’s Indian unit Flipkart has taken the step of developing original content for its video platform.
The Future Of Online Betting And Casino Content
There is no doubt that the technology and demand to take forward online gambling exists. However, there is no sign yet of the government, or individual states, taking significant action to clarify the legal situation. Although, experts have suggested that the tax which the government could earn from a legalized gambling industry is highly significant. It’s estimated that this revenue could amount to as much as $1.5 billion. This is a huge figure which could potentially be put to good use in the country.
Right now, Indian players can access their favorite games using the latest technology at their disposal. While access to online gaming is so easy to achieve, it seems likely that offshore gaming providers will continue to see their revenues increase. It remains to be seen whether the Indian national government and individual states will eventually regulate the industry and what this will mean for players if it happens.
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