Bengaluru: On Friday September 17, Karnataka government submitted a bill in the assembly to ban online gambling or betting in the state and providing for a maximum imprisonment of three years or fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh for any violation.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra submitted the ‘Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ in the assembly.
According to the bill submitted, games mean and includes online games, involving all forms of wagering or betting, including in the form of tokens valued in terms of the money paid before or after the issue of it, or electronic means and virtual currency, electronic transfer of funds in connection with any game of chance. It does not include lottery or wagering or betting on horse races run on any race course within or outside the state.
“It is considered to amend the 1963 Police Act to provide for enforcement of provisions of the Act, by making offences under certain sections as cognizable offence and non-bailable, except Section 87 (gaming in public streets), which is made cognizable and bailable. It will include the use of cyberspace, including computer resources or any communication device as defined in Information Technology Act, 2000 in the process of gaming, to curb the menace of gaming through internet and mobile apps,” the bill stated.
The bill stated that the punishment for the first offence would be six months imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000, for the second, one year imprisonment and fine of Rs 15,000, and for the third offence, 18 months imprisonment and fine of Rs 20,000. Persons aiding or abetting such online gaming would also be punished.
