Karnataka to Frame Online Gaming Rules Post Committee Report

Karnataka is set to make a critical decision regarding the regulation of online gaming. The Indian state is awaiting the recommendations of a high-level committee led by IPS (Indian Police Service) officer Pranab Mohanty. This committee, formed in April 2025, is expected to submit its report by September. The state government has pledged to carefully consider the committee's findings before determining its regulatory approach to the fast-growing sector, especially focusing on online games involving monetary stakes such as real money gaming and poker.

Karnataka's Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, addressed the state Legislative Assembly on August 12, 2025, emphasizing the government's commitment to regulating the online gaming industry. He noted significant concerns over gaming addiction, particularly among the youth, warning that excessive involvement in online gaming can be more detrimental to health and society than substance abuse. 

The minister also revealed that the government has actively engaged with online gaming companies, seeking their cooperation in formulating regulations that prioritize social welfare and reduce the risks associated with gaming addiction. The companies have expressed readiness to collaborate with the authorities. The need for regulation stems partly from past legal developments in Karnataka. In 2021, the state government amended the Karnataka Police Act to prohibit certain online games, but this amendment was struck down by the Karnataka High Court in 2022 following challenges by gaming companies. 

The state government subsequently appealed this decision to the Supreme Court, where the matter remains pending. Parameshwara acknowledged some delay in pursuing the Supreme Court case but assured that the government is now serious about moving forward. He also highlighted that the committee's forthcoming report will guide the framing of a new, foolproof law intended to withstand judicial scrutiny by clearly distinguishing between games of skill and games of chance.

Data presented in the Assembly show that Karnataka police have registered 347 cases related to online betting and gambling since 2023, reflecting rising enforcement challenges. The district of Ballari leads with the highest number of cases. These figures underline the urgency of effective regulation.

The approach Karnataka is taking mirrors that of Tamil Nadu, which enacted an online gaming law supported by a detailed committee report that has withstood legal scrutiny so far, though it faces challenges before the Supreme Court. Experts and industry representatives advocate for clear distinctions in law to support innovation and growth in legitimate skill-based gaming while effectively combating illegal betting and online gambling.