Reforming The Game: A Critical Analysis Of India's Fragmented Gaming Laws And The Need For Centralization

Krish Bihani, OP Jindal Global Law School

ABSTRACT

A legal system stuck in a bygone era: this can be an accurate description of the current gaming laws in India. With each state enacting its own, often contradictory, laws, navigating the regulatory landscape becomes a frustrating game of chance for both businesses and players. This research paper argues that centralized gaming laws are the key to unlocking the true potential of this rapidly growing sector. It looks at empirical data analysing laws of different countries to assess the success of this centralization and whether it could survive in a country like India. Considering the fact that laws must be made with a view to better the future, this paper also focuses on the online gaming sector especially fantasy gaming in India. It analyses the impact these fantasy sports can play to revamp the gaming industry of India. It analyses the shortcomings of this and how it can be made into its best version. The paper offers a holistic understanding of the need for centralisation by providing remedies in the forms of different policies and legislations for the future.

Keywords: Centralization, contradictory laws, online gaming.