Online Gambling: A bird's eye view | by Rahul Kansal

What is online gambling and its evolution? Online gambling enables people to place bets on sporting events and play casino games, poker and bingo as well. It can be carbon-dated back to 1944, when the first online casino was launched long before the advent of Google and Facebook. Since then it has grown significantly, aided by technological growth and the emergence of e-commerce; thus expediting the growth of online gambling. It is being regulated in many countries and thus far more than 60 countries have recognised and tapped the benefits of such regulation. Legality in India If we talk about the legality of online gambling in our country, well according to the Public Gambling Act 1867, all kinds of gambling are illegal in India. But unlike other developed countries, India doesn’t have any specific law dedicated to or which spells out the legal validity of online gambling. On the other hand, Sikkim has its own law relating to online gambling which outlines the rules and regulations relating to its licencing. An online gambling law is the need of the hour considering the plunge in digital divide and inclusion of more and more people into the digital economy, we have seen an exorbitant growth in gambling activities over the internet. Moreover, if people indulge in gambling and betting on websites hosted abroad then it becomes cumbersome to enforce the current laws in such cases, as online gambling might be legal in THAT country. With a proper law in place the government can reap following benefits: • It can ensure the protection of consumers and their privacy. • It can act as an attractive source for generating tax revenues which will help reduce the fiscal deficit. • It can keep gambling crime free. The overall regulation model must comprise norms relating to licencing, anti-money laundering measures, a viable taxation system and must be aimed at maintaining the integrity of sports. Critical Appraisal We talked about its meaning, evolution and legality but does it stand on moral and ethical grounds? Is it good for society? Well if we see around, it is becoming prominent not only in our country but around the globe and has made a place of its own. There are a lot of games to choose from, provided you have access to the internet. Apart from acting as a source of entertainment, it allows you to earn money at the same time. It enhances one’s gaming quotient as an individual competes with others to make money and thereby making them mentally active and sharpens their mind. But it takes its toll as well, especially since there are high odds of this interest becoming an addiction and as a result, deteriorating the lives of people and the pliable children as they might devote more time to such activities; the insatiable greed of people to earn and make a fortune can instead, make them bankrupt. One who is smitten over it can do better and one who treats it like a casual venture can have a harmless occasional retreat. So, whether it is good or bad depends upon an individual's level of indulgence.