BTC Online Betting License To Be Repealed: Report

The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) hit a snag as the Karnataka state government revoked its license after its successful launch on 21 November. The club can no longer offer interactive online betting services to its users. Legalizing sports betting and online gambling in India will have a huge effect on the gambling landscape of the country. The enormous market potential of the industry has been something that many companies including local governments are eyeing to capitalize from.

With the illegal gambling market estimated to be worth $100 billion in the country, states like Karnataka have been eager to benefit from this revenue. Although this may be the case, the latest news reports add that state officials of Karnataka, on Friday (11 December) announced that the BTC would have its online betting license repealed. It ordered that all betting activities should come to an end, thereby ending a waiver that allowed online betting almost immediately after its introduction.

This was in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a local resident last month who argued that gambling would have a harmful influence on the youth in the state. The PIL claimed that there was no formal gambling framework given to BTC by the government before granting the permit for the mobile app.

Despite India’s dim view on gambling, BTC was able to receive an online permit for their mobile app. They had a betting app, digital wallet, and streaming service ready to be launched once they were given the nod and were confident of their success. However, their hopes were cut short with the recent ruling. But this is not the first-time online gambling and betting have come under attack. Recently, the Supreme Court of India ruled that lottery, betting, and gambling operations were taxable.

In another case, Junglee Games in Tamil Nadu, successfully defended its right to operate after a gambling ban in the state. They claimed that online rummy did not violate any laws, this news garnered a lot of attention especially among the people in the online gaming industry.

But despite this minor win, it is uncertain that the negative views on gambling and betting in the country will soon change. For more similar news and updates, continue reading GutshotMagazine.com.

Donna Amo

Donna Amo is a writer at Gutshot Magazine. She is a graduate from Sophia College of Women, Mumbai with a degree in English Literature. When this October born foodie is not writing content or poetry, she spends her time laughing at memes or watching series. Based out of Mizoram, she is drawn to all things nature and has a soft spot for puppies.