Catch up with the latest India casino news – the government bans online casino sites & apps, while one state is requesting casinos open now! (Photo by Steve Buissinne on Pixabay)
The law is changing for India and its casino industry both on the land-based (retail) and online gambling landscapes.
There are already signs of online gambling controls in action after The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) began blocking gambling websites.
Is this part of the grand plan to introduce a domestic online gambling regulatory authority in the country? Find out more about why MeitY is blocking websites in the India casino news update MeitY news story below.
On top of this, the imminent rise of casino gambling in the country is also taking a foothold evident through the increase in national news stories, iGaming events and media publications.
The latest of those news stories is a request to the Maharashtra State Government to begin a process that allows its 720-kilometre coastline to take advantage of a new law that allows casinos to operate in the state. According to the MNS party leader, ₹25 billion in tax revenue, plus the boost to the state’s tourism would increase businesses, offer more employment opportunities, and put the state on the global tourism map.
India’s Rise in Gambling: The country has long been in the midst of a power struggle for and against gambling online and offline. However, new laws continue to come in favour of regulating casino and sports betting.
MeitY Blacklists Online Gambling Sites and Apps in the Latest Crackdown in India
A news report in the Hindustan Times states that a government official has confirmed that the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has prevented online access to 138 online gambling websites and apps. The operation came with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which sent an emergency request.
However, this was not purely a gambling crackdown. The MeitY also banned online access to 94 loan apps. To enforce the ban, the MeitY cited section 69(A) of the IT Act. The sites are now wiped off India’s DNS servers and IPs are blocked through ISPs operating in the country.
Under the act all gambling and loan websites/apps banned were a threat to financial security due to illegal AML activity.
MNS Leader Encourages Maharashtra State Government to Begin Opening Casinos
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional political party in the state of Maharashtra in India, has asked the state government to change its ‘regressive’ outlook and promote casino gaming in the state. The request came via the party leader, Manoj Chavan. He has written to state CM Eknath Shinde requesting that the CM allow casinos in the state along its 720-kilometre coastline.
To put forward a convincing case, he referred to a research study by Global Market Advisors (GMA) a consulting firm that provides market analysis and strategic advice to clients in the gaming and hospitality industries. GMA helps clients understand the competitive dynamics of their markets, identify growth opportunities, and make informed business decisions.
The research was wholly positive and points out key figures that would benefit the state greatly.
Some of the numbers crunched by the American research company were as follows:
- Maharashtra casino could generate an estimated $1.1 billion in revenue
- With 28% GST levied on the industry, there is a potential for up to $308 million (₹25 billion) in tax
- Revenue would also come via operator casino licensing fees
- The resulting tourism, entertainment and hospitality-related services that would come via the introduction of casinos would also create employment (this also adds an additional tax revenue)
- Casinos and the tourism services surrounding it would put the state on the global tourism map
According to these figures, if casinos are allowed in the state, it will increase tourism and help the state become a tourist hotspot like Goa. He also asked the state CM to take up this issue with the government of Goa and request them to let Maharashtra casinos in order to promote the region.
Moreover, he said the MNS is planning to launch an awareness campaign aimed at protecting young people from gambling and other related activities. He urged the state CM to take up this issue and work towards a better gambling law.
State Law Allows Casinos: The state legislation allowing casinos in Maharashtra already passed under the (Control and Tax) Act 1976. All that is needed to enhance the state is a regulatory authority in place to allow the commencement of the land-based casino industry in the state.
The success of gambling in Goa
Manoj Chavan also made reference to the success of Goa’s land-based casino operations as well as those in the state of
- Goa offshore casinos: Six offshore casinos currently operate via Goa
- Goa onshore casinos: Eight onshore casinos are currently in operation
Goa has a total of 14 land-based casino operations boosting tourism and these casinos also boost the state of Goa’s tax revenue via casino taxes and revenue from tax due to the employment created by these casinos.
The success of gambling in Goa
Manoj Chavan also referred to the state of Sikkim Sikkim, which is a state in India located in the northeastern region of the country and is bordered by the Indian states of West Bengal to the south and Assam to the west, and by the countries of Bhutan to the east and Nepal to the west.
- With the state bordered by other states and two countries, Sikkim is well-known for its tourism, which includes 5-star hotels. Its government rules include a policy that allows these hotels to host casino games in five-star hotels. Consequently, the state ranks as one of the top destinations for tourists.
Find out more about India’s Gambling Scene: For a full guide covering the casino scene in India, take a look at the India iGaming guide here. This is a page written by industry experts dedicating their expertise to the online casino industry, gambling laws, developments, casinos, software providers and more.
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