Delay in deploying SROs allow ‘illegal betting sites’ to flourish during Asia Cup – Times of India

The Ministry of Electronics and IT announced new regulations for online gaming as an amendment to the IT Rules of 2021 in April. To comply with the new rules Self Regulatory organisations(SROs) will be formed by the government. These organisations will approve the games that can operate in the country following the latest rules. However, the applications for these SROs for the online gaming sector are yet to be processed.According to a report by IANS, this delay has left the door open forillegal betting sites to promote themselves on media platforms.
In its latest advisory, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also asked TV, print and digital media to refrain from taking any ads from betting or surrogate sites. The Ministry advised the platforms not to carry any ads that are “advertisement or surrogate advertisements or promotion of an online game that is not permissible”. The government advisory that was issued ahead of the Asia Cup has also failed to make a difference.
‘Illegal betting sites’ taking advantage of the government delay
Currently, there are no officially recognised “permissible online games” as the process to set up and deploy SROs is still ongoing. According to a report by news agency IANS, quoting industry sources, betting and gambling sites are taking advantage of this loophole to prey on the Indian market. The visibility of these illegal betting and gambling sites has increased as popular tournaments like the Asia Cup and the Caribbean Premier League get underway.

Utkarsh Srivastava, a tech lawyer practising in Delhi and Lucknow High Courts, said: “Since the setting up of an SRO will take some time, the rules cannot be enforced. While the government follows due process and vets these applications, it may result in a scenario where illegal betting and gambling sites take advantage of the situation and capitalise on ongoing sports tournaments.”
The deadline to submit applications for the establishment of self-regulatory organisations (SROs) was on July 6. By far, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received only three proposals. These SROs will be primarily responsible for deciding the “permissible online games”. However, the government has yet to take any action related to these SROs.