BJP leader Vijay Goel calls for a ban on real money gaming, labeling it ‘online gambling’

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Senior BJP leader and former Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel has demanded a ban on real money gaming platforms, stating they are inherently harmful and cannot be fixed through regulation. Speaking to The Hindu on January 2, 2024, Mr. Goel equated online gaming involving real money with gambling and highlighted its financial impact on individuals.

“People are being financially ruined,” Mr. Goel said, drawing parallels between real money gaming apps and the single-digit lotteries he successfully campaigned against in the 1990s. Highlighting the addictive nature of these platforms, he expressed alarm at reports of users placing bets as high as ₹10,000. Mr. Goel cited instances of financial losses leading to suicides in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as proof of the dangers posed by these platforms.

Challenging the Legal Distinction Between Skill and Chance Games

Mr. Goel dismissed the distinction made by courts between games of skill, such as rummy and poker, and games of chance, like lotteries. Real money gaming firms often argue that their games involve skill and are therefore legal. However, Mr. Goel challenged this premise, stating, “The financial risks disclosed by these firms in their advertising show that the character of these games itself is rotten.”

Insufficient Regulation: Goel’s Stance on Government Measures

In 2023, the Union government introduced new IT rules requiring real money gaming companies to be part of self-regulatory bodies and comply with certain guidelines. However, Mr. Goel believes these measures are insufficient. “Regulation will not fix something that has a rotten character. These apps need to be banned,” he said, adding that regulation could address unfair business practices but not the fundamental issues of addiction and financial harm.

Mr. Goel has been actively campaigning against real money gaming platforms since November 2023, writing letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He has also used newspaper advertisements to mobilize public support for his cause. As part of his strategy, he plans to approach Members of Parliament in the upcoming parliamentary session, aiming to gather cross-party support similar to his anti-lottery campaign, which culminated in legislative action in the late 1990s.

“The youth of this country are getting trapped and heading towards destruction,” Mr. Goel warned, highlighted the urgent need for decisive action. His campaign seeks to rally public and political momentum to eliminate the risks posed by real money gaming platforms.

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