State Government Considering Legal Framework for Online Gaming, Says Karnataka Minister

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Karnataka’s Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge, announced on Tuesday that the state government is considering bringing online gaming, including real money gaming, under a legal framework.

As reported by Udayavani, addressing reporters, Kharge emphasized the need for regulations on illegal online gaming. “Illegal online gaming should be controlled. We have around 520 million gamers in India, making us one of the largest gaming communities. It is important to safeguard people,” he stated. Despite the central government’s imposition of a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming, India saw 23 million new gamers added last year, he noted.

Kharge also raised concerns about Indian gamers using servers based in China and Eastern Europe, which, he claimed, has led to financial losses and an increase in fraud cases. “We need to figure out a way to bring online gaming and real money gaming under a legal framework. Just as Chhattisgarh has introduced a bill on online betting, we are exploring the possibility of doing something similar through the departments of IT and Home,” he added.

Hate Speech and Discrimination Laws Under Discussion

When questioned about potential legislation against hate speech and communal discourse, Kharge said that while he was not certain about specific plans, the issue had been discussed within the ruling party.

“Hate speech, misinformation, and discrimination against students based on caste in educational institutions have been debated in party forums. We will determine the next course of action when it comes to drafting a bill. We expect that such measures will be part of a broader legislative framework to ensure a constitutionally sound environment for all citizens,” he stated.

Response to BJP’s Allegations on Fund Diversion

Responding to allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the Congress government was diverting funds from the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for guarantee schemes, Kharge challenged the opposition to specify any rule under which such diversion had occurred.

He questioned why the BJP had not protested when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration allegedly changed the SCSP-TSP Act of the Planning Commission. “Why are central SCSP-TSP funds being used for production-linked incentives, semiconductors, and compensating telecom operators?” he asked.

Kharge further pointed out that in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, funds meant for Dalits and Adivasis were used for cattle protection, while in Maharashtra, Rs 2,000 crore from the SCSP-TSP fund was redirected for farm loan waivers. Similarly, in Gujarat, Rs 5 crore intended for marginalized communities was allegedly used to produce a documentary on Vadnagar, the native town of PM Modi.

He also highlighted admissions made by former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other BJP leaders that there was a diversion of over Rs 10,000 crore of SCSP-TSP funds during their tenure. “Is the BJP protesting against that?” he asked, emphasizing the need for accountability.

The developments indicate an ongoing political debate over online gaming regulations and the use of SCSP-TSP funds, with the Karnataka government expected to make further policy announcements in the coming months.

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