Centre Clarifies States Have Authority on Gaming and Online Betting Laws, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has clarified that individual states have the authority to regulate gaming and online betting within their jurisdictions. The Minister made the statement in the Lok Sabha while responding to a question raised by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament, Dayanidhi Maran.
Vaishnaw’s remarks come after Maran questioned the Central Government’s stance on the growing issues of online gaming and betting, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu, where online gaming has already been banned. Maran also raised concerns that the Central Government was evading its responsibility in tackling these practices.
In his response, Ashwini Vaishnaw affirmed, “No one has the right to question the morality of the Central Government.” He explained that, according to the Indian Constitution, states hold both the legal and moral authority to legislate on matters such as online gaming and betting. He further emphasized the importance of understanding the federal structure of India, where certain issues fall under the purview of state legislatures.
While underlining the significance of the states’ rights in regulating these sectors, Vaishnaw also noted that the Central Government has been actively addressing the concerns associated with online gaming. He revealed that the government has banned a total of 1,410 gaming websites in response to complaints received.
The issue of gaming and online betting has become increasingly prominent in India, with concerns about the social and financial impacts of these activities on the public. Several state governments, including Tamil Nadu, have taken steps to curb the proliferation of online gaming, which has been linked to financial distress, addiction, and other social issues.
Vaishnaw’s comments reaffirm the central government’s position that while it is committed to tackling illegal online betting, it acknowledges the role of states in addressing these matters through their legislative processes.
