Category Archives: Gambling

An exhilarating experience, gambling has all it takes for participants to both become overnight millionaires or to lose everything they have. In the background, there is a battle for high stakes with tricks, bluffs, and cheats standing next to skills needed in poker and other games. The on-screen gambling experience in anime and manga is crowded with all of this and its no wonder why some of the best series have so interesting gambling-related plots and motifs. They also come with iconic characters were about to show you now.

Post-war Japan. The country is ruined, most cannot even afford rice. Most, but not all. Tetsuyas pockets are stuffed with money, and he prefers to stuff his stomach with sushi. The point is that he is a professional mahjong player. While wheeling and dealing at the gambling table, he comes across a seemingly unremarkable old man who easily beats him.

If you want to feel like Tetsuya, you should try to play, but first after reading the review, take Zodiac Casino 80 free spins to make the game even more interesting for you.

The Legendary Gambler is an action-packed thriller with an admixture of drama and a slight tinge of nostalgia for one-story Japan of the 1940-50s, small shopkeepers, washed-out tunics, and a total absence of electronics and the corporate way of life.

Youngish boyya plays and naturally wins with the slight naivety of a cheater who grabbed the top and desperately aiming at the elite of professional mahjong players. He asks Boshu to teach him all the intricacies of this game. Initially, the old-man does not want to take a partner for the game but realizing that the boy has a clear talent, he takes on his training. This is how the best Shinjuku duo is born.

And as often happens, with all overclocking he attacks with his inquisitive nose on an experienced rogue with the frank face of a cunning toad. The cards of fate were unsuccessful for the beginner because of wounded ambition, our hero decided to become the biggest among the most honest crooks in the world of illegal betting

An adaptation of the Saki Manga that aired in 25 episodes since 2009, the series revolves around young Saki Miyanaga, a pupil brought into the dangerous and competitive world of mahjong. Along with Nodoka Haramura, another freshman from her class, she needs to win the tournament and eventually reach the final competition.

The plot twists unexpectedly since Saki was always forced to play the game and she never wanted to win but decided to keep the score at zero. In this psychological game, she must abandon the practice of never winning and never losing to bring greater glory to the Achiga Girls Academy team.

This anime has a spin-off called Shinohayu the Dawn of Age revolving around the youth and childhood of various pro players. Also, you can watch the lives of this interesting crew in numerous shows in other media since the anime is still running to this day.

Named the Crying Dragon, Ryuu is surrounded by an aura of mystery that should watch his back while playing forbidden games with gangsters. He only wins by Iron, a move in which it is necessary to wait for the opponents marker to complete the victory. Ron is also called naki, which has the same pronunciation as crying in Japanese.

Ryuu is apparently the brooding and mysterious member of the gamblers yakuza gang. Together, they regularly play and show gambling skills taking every opportunity to bet a few coins. Finally, Ryuu almost always ends up ripping off his opponents with the ron technique.

In the homonymous video game for Super Nintendo and Sega, the player must place such techniques and learn more skills to defeat all his enemies and gain respect. Moreover, the attractive game is depicted in various video slots. And you can easily try it, for little money, because now you can find many great deals casino 5 $ deposit for Canadian players. This is a great opportunity to play video slots depicting this game.

Produced by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, the so-called Ultimate Survivor Kaiji is another thrilling gambling anime series that keeps players engaged since the first episode aired. The story goes around a good-for-nothing loiterer Kaiji Itou spending his days stealing trinkets and drinking at the local bar. After being tricked by his former associate and friend, our unlucky protagonist finds himself involved in illegal gambling activities on a cruise ship where he must save his neck in a harder way.

It turned out the main character of this anime owes almost 4 million yen, and he will have to work off such a debt for at least 11 years. However, there is an alternative: he can become a passenger of the Ship of Hope, where he will have a chance to win back, but the price for losing will be high. The hero, in fact, has no choice In popular casino movies such as Rounders, you can find a similar theme to enjoy.

The Hyakkaou Private Academy is the custodian of many years of tradition and is considered one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Japan. Most of the students are the wealthy heirs of the Japanese elite. Your academic, creative, and sporting achievements do not play any role here. All that is needed to survive here is power, money, and the ability to get out of any situation as a winner.

And where better to hone your skills than in gambling? Your life literally depends on how well you play, just like Saikyou Saitama Lycaons in One Outs. For many years in the school, all relationships were built based on power-subordination, but with the mysterious transfer student Yumeko Jabami arriving, the ideal system begins to fail. She looks sweet and innocent, but in reality, she turns out to be a gambler who enjoys developing new strategies and calculating risks. What will the craving for insane excitement lead to now? The anime has it all love, life decisions, gambling games, and a slight chance for a death parade to keep the fans watching it over and over again.

After watching the best anime gambling series, we suggest you also take a closer look at C The Money of Soul and Possibility Control since it has a lot of interesting moments for every fan to enjoy. Also, Touhai Densetsu Akagi Yami ni Maiorita Tensai is well worth your time just like another anime about gambling called Akagi: Yami ni Oritatta Tensai shaped as both movie and manga. There is also quite a long list of gambling anime on Netflix to watch, which makes a good way to introduce yourself to this attractive and interesting niche.

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The 5 Best Gambling Anime - Fortress of Solitude

The U.K. government is getting closer to finalizing its gambling review, with multiple sources reporting this week that it will likely result in the ban of gambling sponsorships from sports jerseys.

The review is looking at reforming the Gambling Act of 2005 there are reportedly 400,000 problem gamblers in the UK as well as white label deals, which are considered a loophole as overseas betting companies can form sponsorships with U.K.-based soccer clubs by paying another firm to use their license, avoiding government check-ins.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed a new gambling minister this week, thought to be keen on reform, according to the Daily Mail.

If the ban is finalized, it would have a huge impact on the sports market in Europe. Gambling logos appear up to 700 times per match.

Gambling companies expect branding in venues could be affected, too.

The review is not expected to be published until this winter, and then would need a three-month consultation period before heading to Parliament. If the changes go through, they would likely not take effect until 2023.

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UK Sports Teams Likely To Lose Front-of-Shirt Gambling Sponsors - Front Office Sports

Vietnam being a communist nation, may have an expanding economy. But it seems the government is still under the dilemma of sticking to their moral high grounds or allowing foreign investment by gambling companies to raise their taxable income.

Vietnam and gambling are known to have an opposing history and culture for ages now. Even when several countries have legalized betting activities, Vietnam still prefers to stick with its restricting laws. But lets keep aside the entertainment factor and desires of the citizens to look into the economical aspect. Hosting wagering events indeed have a crucial impact on the economy of any nation. While others are adding digits to their revenue, the Vietnamese government penalizes gambling, especially for local people.

But, now the question is, is it profitable from the financing perspective to keep the ban intact? Well, lets try to dig into this debatable topic.

Gambling has an older history than you might imagine. A span of 100 years does not seem like a long time. Though there has been a tremendous evolution in the game and a massive expansion in the entertainment industry, Vietnam is still shard-handed with gambling like it used to be in the 20th century. But this doesnt stop the Vietnamese from obsessing over casino games, both offline and online, and participating in sports betting.

Betting is not just seen from the monetary and fun element, but much more than that. Ancestors and current governments feel that gambling must be looked at from moral grounds first, and anything else comes later. Indeed, the ban continues in Vietnam, keeping in mind such ethical and traditional norms that do not favor betting.

It is no surprise that gambling can be addictive. Resultantly, there are chances that a person indulges in unapproved ancillary habits like drinking, smoking, neglecting work, destroying relationships, and more. This is what the Vietnamese government fears, and hence, the penalizing of gambling laws.

Though such ideologies and frights are correct in their place, there has to be some acceptance to change. Other countries have also taken this chance and legalized gambling activities in a very controlled manner. Responsible gambling must be encouraged, and help can be provided to those who begin to get addicted.

When governing authorities realized that gambling could act as a powerful tool in boosting the economy, there came a time when governing authorities realized that gambling could act as a powerful tool in boosting the economy. And, they have proved to be profitably correct in thinking so and legalizing the commercialization of casinos. The online channels of gambling have brought in mind-boggling returns for the states and centers of different nations.

There are plenty of gambling sites operating in Vietnam such as Gclub. But none of them are licensed or safe to play in. It is deemed unlawful to run a Vietnamese gambling site and to play on a foreign gambling site from within the country. The government took steps to ban such sites and the penalties for illicit betting while seldom implemented.

Now, Vietnam is developing a framework to allow football betting. It hopes to attract investment for the sports sector of the nation and to reduce rampant unlawful gambling.In 2017, the government decided to allow sports betting to locals on an experimental basis. But the conditions were so strict that people still prefer going around the rules like using VPN or crossing borders.

Vietnam has a whopping 90 million population. It has a huge potential market for the gambling industry to grow. If Vietnam follows Singapores footsteps and opens the market, it can operate the casinos on a huge scale. It will be a commercial success, bringing many tourists without attracting crime which has been the prime problem.

The continuous debate on legalizing gambling or not has been a constant topic even in these modern times. It should be understood that if something has both positive and negative sides, more focus should be directed towards improving the cons. Indeed gambling comes with the risk of addiction and monetary loss; there is a scope of controlling such adverse outcomes.

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The Impact Of Gambling On The Economy Of Vietnam - TheNationRoar

FRANKFORT, Ky. Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of PokerStars, has agreed to pay the Commonwealth of Kentucky $300 million to settle a lawsuit brought against the internet gambling site in 2011.

In 2008, J. Michael Brown, then-Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet under Gov. Steve Beshear who now serves as Gov. Andy Beshears executive cabinet secretary, brought actions on behalf of the commonwealth in Franklin Circuit Court seeking to stop the unregulated, untaxed and illegal offshore gambling operations that were operating in Kentucky.

From 2007 to 2011, PokerStars, the largest offshore gambling operator, collected almost $300 million in actual cash losses from thousands of Kentuckians who played on PokerStars websites. Under longstanding Kentucky law, the commonwealth brought an action against PokerStars seeking recovery of the nearly $300 million lost by its citizens, and as required by Kentucky law, trebled damages. Last year, the Supreme Court of Kentucky affirmed that judgment, which was rendered in December 2015.

Flutter Entertainment and its subsidiary, PokerStars, are located in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom of Great Britain. PokerStars claimed that the English Protection of Trading Interests Act of 1980 could have prevented the commonwealth from collecting the damages upheld by the Supreme Court of Kentucky. The $300 million settlement amount, however, is nearly $10 million above the actual damages awarded by the courts, which was $290,230,077.94.

In April 2021, the Franklin Circuit Court ordered a bond of $100 million to be paid. The bond payment was received in May and an additional $200 million will be added to it. Pursuant to Kentucky law (KRS 48.005), proceeds from the settlement will go to the General Fund.

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Kentucky to receive $300 million from PokerStars gambling site - The Lane Report

Twenty-seven states, including Connecticut, have legalized sports betting now or will shortly. This affords many people who have not engaged in gambling on sports the opportunity to enjoy thisentertainment. Approximately 80% of Americans have gambled at some point in their lives. Between 20%-30% of Americans gamble regularly. Gambling does not cause problems for most people. Some quit if they lose money while others set limits to how much they will lose, then stop.

The rush of adrenaline associated with gambling stimulates the mind. The strength of this desire for more stimulation can lead some people to continue to gamble regardless of the negative consequences. This compulsive gambling disorder is characterized by increasing the amount of money bet to recoup losses; losing time at work resulting in termination; being preoccupied with gambling; destroying personal relationships; and stealing in order to gamble.

People at risk of developing a gambling problem include people who abuse alcohol and other drugs; have friends who gamble; and use certain medications, such as dopamine agonists.

Regarding people who gamble approximately 12% of adolescents, 16% of college students, and 6% of adults have a gambling disorder. Education is vitalto inform people, especially adolescents and college students, of the pros and cons associated with gambling, allowing folksto make informed choices.

C. Kevin Synnott

Dept. of Business Administration, Management and Marketing

Eastern Connecticut State University

Willimantic

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The Day - Education is vital to avoid gambling addiction - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com

Posted on: September 27, 2021, 04:55h.

Last updated on: September 27, 2021, 08:57h.

Results of a survey released last week indicate that nearly 85 percent of Indiana adults said they took part in at least one gambling activity over the past year. Thats according to researchers at Indiana University, who conducted the first study regarding gambling behaviors in the state.

The study was funded by the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling, using a random sampling of Indiana adults age 18 and older. In addition to finding out how Hoosiers gambled, the survey included three assessments to determine the prevalence of problem gambling behaviors.

Mary Lay, an IU research associate and the program manager for Prevention Insights Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program, said in a statement that the survey will be used to help determine priorities for treatment and awareness across the state.

Gambling has been legal in Indiana for over 30 years, and this survey is the first look at Indiana adults behaviors around gambling, she said in a statement. Indiana is one of a few states that support efforts to address problem-gambling treatment needs with support from a portion of the revenues produced by gambling activities in the state.

Prevention Insights, a part of the IU School of Public Health, seeks to strengthen behavioral health systems nationwide and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Of the 84.8 percent of Hoosiers who said they gambled last year, lotteries were by far the most popular activity. The survey found that 71.7 percent of respondents played a type of lottery game in the past year.

And even with COVID-19 still ongoing, nearly half of the adults surveyed, 46.2 percent, said they had visited a casino in the past year. However, the percentages varied greatly among age groups. While 49.6 percent of those ages 18-to-34 said they visited a casino at least one time, only 31.6 percent of those 55 and older did. Among those 35-to-54, it was 42 percent.

Some of the other more significant disparities found in the survey were those between male gamblers and females. For instance, nearly 30 percent of males took part in some type of sports betting activity, compared to just 12.7 percent of females. In addition, males were more inclined to be scored for at least some risk of a problem gambling disorder.

Based on the Pathological Gambling Diagnostic Form, a nine-item survey included in the study, 6.7 percent of male participants scored as having a gambling disorder. Thats compared to 1.9 percent of female respondents. On the NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems, which includes 17 questions, 6.9 percent of men were rated as having a pathological gambling issue, compared to just 0.5 percent of women.

The survey also found that those identified with a gambling disorder reported, on average, more mentally unhealthy days in the past month than those found not to be at-risk

The full results of the survey can be found here. In an email to Casino.org, Lay said that the goal is for the survey to be conducted on a recurring basis to better understand and track behaviors. How often that would take place is uncertain, as researchers are seeking funding for future studies.

In addition to looking at the prevalence of traditional gambling, the survey also asked respondents about other forms. That includes high-risk trading of stocks or other investment vehicles, and games of skill, such as pool, bowling, or video games.

For a problem gambler, any game that they risk something on the outcome which is unknown is gambling, Lay told Casino.org on Friday. Interestingly, golf is a common game for bets. Also, gambling is defined as risking something of value on an unknown outcome. It is not that these are red flags to future, its that everyone who is addicted to gambling or substances start somewhere.

The survey comes two years after Indiana lawmakers passed an expanded gambling bill. The law will lead to the opening of a casino in Terre Haute and ushered in legal sports betting across the state.

Lawmakers are also considering a further expansion, which could include the introduction of online real-money casino apps and legalizing video gaming terminals in a variety of establishments.

Lay said that increased access is a risk factor for any addiction, and that lawmakers should consider that if they pursue new forms of gambling.

Any additional options should include money tax on revenue from games going directly to the treatment, prevention and awareness of the potential risks associated with gambling, she told Casino.org. Gambling can be a fun recreational activity for most. But for those who develop problems, it is key they are aware of the warning signs and where to go for help.

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Indiana University Researchers Release First Survey of Hoosier Bettor... - Casino.Org News

The Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR) is launching a responsible gambling project in the Czech Republic.

IFGR brings together 35 companies operating in the gambling field, covering 95% of the legal gambling market in the Czech Republic.

The projects aim is to keep gambling fun while making it a safe pastime for players, not a risk. It seeks to support the prevention of risky gambling, support the education of players and the general public about the principles of responsible gambling, support cooperation with professional organisations in education and research, and the introduction of a software tool to detect high-risk gambling behaviour.

Czech Republic gambling operators are already required to comply with a number of legal measures that contribute to the protection of players; however, those regulations are not always effective and cannot respond in time to changes in player behaviour, and offer effective assistance or help.

This responsible gambling project brings together competing gambling operators such as Tipsport, Fortuna, Chance and Sazka, who, by signing the Obligations to the Responsible Gambling project, have voluntarily committed to complying with the rules that will contribute to a safer gambling environment beyond the existing legal regulations.

As education is an important part of the approach, the project also focuses on building a network of professional help consisting of addictologists, psychologists, and financial and legal advisers.

Interactive workshops, online conferences, discussions and training are some of the activities planned for the Week of Responsible Gambling (which is part of the Responsible Gambling project and will take place between 20 and 27 November).

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Responsible gambling project to launch in the Czech Republic - Gambling Insider - In-depth Analysis for the Gaming Industry

At the height of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouks Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime in the 1960s, it is said that a poor manual labourer in Kampong Cham provinces Kang Meas district became an instant millionaire when he won the biggest lottery at the time.

He then built a big house and bought a car with a chauffeur, recalls Son Sarath, a 69-year-old former teacher who lived in the same commune on the border with Kandal province.

Sarath says people throughout the province then became obsessed with the national lottery with the hope that they might also become lucky with good winnings.

Some people bought the lottery tickets every day, he says. Then, many people became addicted to gambling.

However, the former schoolteacher says the government banned illegal gambling except during the Khmer New Year holiday when people were allowed to play cards, dies, or any type of gambling for fun.

More than half a century later, many people in Kampong Cham province and other parts of Cambodia have become addicted to Vietnams national lotteries, the number games which are illegal in Cambodia.

Every morning, people chat in the coffee shops about their night dreams, says Sarath. Then, they will guess which lottery numbers will appear later in the day based on their dreams.

The grandfather says some people go even further by rubbing face power on some famous statues and try to see the likeliness of the supposed numbers left in the trails.

Some people almost go crazy with the number games, he says. In the end, they lose everything.

Nevertheless, some local people have resorted to either national or private lotteries run by different companies after widespread crackdown by the authorities to avoid being arrested for playing or running illegal Vietnamese number games.

Chamroeun Nira, a 25-year-old lottery seller in Kampong Cham, says she has been selling the national lottery scratch cards for a few months after she stopped working at a garment factory.

Many people are addicted to playing Vietnamese number games, she says. But, now people enjoy buying the national lottery scratch cards because they know the results instantly.

Nira says she could not sell many tickets when she started selling the lottery scratch cards in the villages as they were new games to the villagers.

Now, I can sell between 50 and 100 lottery tickets every day, says the mother with a single child. I cannot earn much, but it is enough to buy food for my small family.

She says local villagers only buy a few tickets of between 50 cents and one dollar each just to try their luck of the day.

Some people win $10 or $20 after they only scratch one ticket or two, she says. A few people buy around $5 worth of the tickets and then they stop playing.

As Nira is talking about her lottery ticket selling career, a customer approaches her with a young daughter.

Now, let me help buy you three tickets, says the customer in her early 40s. I will scratch two and let my daughter scratch one.

Its 6,000 riels (about $1.50) in total, calculates the seller.

What a bad day for me! shouts the customer after she scratches her two tickets.

But, I win 4,000 riels, exclaims her daughter with excitement.

The customer who asks not to be named says she only buys a few tickets every few days just for fun and to try her luck.

If I am addicted to gambling, my husband will divorce me, she says with a laugh.

Meanwhile, most villagers say they try to stay away from playing lotteries and all kinds of gambling.

I am a vendor, so I dont believe in luck like playing the lottery, says 36-year-old Chhum Muoyly, who sells drinks and snacks at a street store in Kampong Cham. If I dont work hard, I cannot earn money to feed my family.

Muoyly says she has seen some villagers become poorer after they have been addicted to gambling and play all sorts of games every day.

Indeed, former schoolteacher Son Sarath says even the manual labourer who won the biggest lottery in the 1960s became poverty-stricken again after he became a rich man for a short while.

After he lost all the money to gambling, he started selling his car and then his house, says Sarath. Finally, he became a poor manual labourer like before.

Of course, various experts and psychiatrists have come up with a number of recommendations for people to fight addiction to gambling.

According to the website The Recovery Village, here are the seven tips that a gambling addict can follow to recover from addiction:

To eliminate gambling from your life, you must learn about the issue and admit you have a gambling problem.

Be honest with yourself when you look over the symptoms of gambling disorder, or even better, ask a loved one about their opinion of your gambling for a clearer understanding.

Support groups are organisations maintained by people with similar experiences and pasts. Though support groups lack professional interventions, they are free to try out in person or in online chat rooms.

For someone in recovery, avoiding people, places, and activities linked to gambling can help them avoid a setback. By avoiding these triggers, you can avoid the thoughts and feelings that encourage gambling. Work with a loved one and find ways to avoid the temptations to reduce the risk of gambling.

With addictions, there are cravings. Cravings are strong urges to complete the desired behavior. All cravings have a beginning, middle, and end. So as long as you can postpone your gambling, you can maintain recovery.

Avoiding triggers and distracting during cravings are great ways to deal with gambling, but to improve your state, youll need to find healthy alternatives to gambling such as physical activity, meditation, and spending more time with friends and family who do not gamble.

Shame and guilt are strong feelings for anyone in recovery from addiction. Think about the consequences of your past gambling, including the emotional pain you caused your loved ones and the financial hardships you put your family.

If your gambling is severe, consider seeking professional help as soon as possible. Professional treatment from a mental health or addiction specialist could be the difference between a life of financial uncertainty versus living in financial stability.

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Let's Stop The Gambling Addiction Once and For All! - Khmer Times

The UK Government is reportedly planning to finalise a reform of gambling laws over the next few weeks that would see a ban on gambling company sponsorships of sporting clubs.

The reforms, which were launched as part of a review of the 2005 Gambling Act by the department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), would require all English football clubs to end betting sponsorships.

It is estimated betting shirt sponsorships alone across the English Premier League and second tier English Football League (EFL) are worth UK100 million (AUD$188 million) according to the Daily Mail.

Nine Premier League clubs have shirt sponsorships with gambling companies, along with six EFL clubs, however the EFL also holds a title sponsorship with SkyBet.

The reports come after similar moves throughout Spain and Italy in recent years, which has caused financial concerns for a number of sporting clubs with lucrative betting sponsorship deals.

EFL CEO, Trevor Birch, said the potential bans are concerning for the league, with the clubs to suffer a likely substantial impact.

Were concerned because finance and sponsorship from the betting sector is an important part of the financing of the EFL, Birch said.

The figure we would put on it is UK40 million (AUD$75 million).

If that particular avenue is closed off to us it will have a substantial impact on our finances

Life goes on and if it is a short-term hit we have to find an alternative.

Who knows what else is out there in terms of sponsorship that might fill the gap?

But its also the case that the gambling industry does make an awful lot of money from football.

So in some shape or form we think that they should be making some kind of contribution.

It could be in a different form to shirt sponsorship, he said.

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UK Government Could Ban Gambling Sponsorships - Ministry of Sport

The Karnataka legislature has passed a bill to amend the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 in order to ban all forms of gambling in the state, including online gambling. The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by the legislature despite a similar law the Tamil Nadu Gambling and Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 passed in February in Tamil Nadu being struck down by the Madras High Court this August as being ultra vires. The new Karnataka law aims to strengthen the Karnataka Police Act to make gambling a cognisable and non-bailable offence and curb menace of gaming through the Internet, mobile apps.

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Among the reasons cited by the Karnataka government for a new law to ban all forms of gambling are a Dharwad High Court Bench order of December 2019 which ruled that the police cannot raid gambling dens without a formal written order from a magistrate since gambling is a non-cognisable and bailable offence. The order passed by Justice P G M Patil in the Vageppa Gurulinga Jangaligi vs the Kagwad police case on December 10, 2019 set out a series of guidelines for the police and magistrates to follow when a non-cognisable offence is taken up. The order said that the SHO of the police station has no authority of law unless the jurisdictional magistrate permits the police officer for investigation of the non-cognizable offence.

Recent public interest litigations seeking a ban on online gaming and betting where the high court has sought the state governments stand on imposing a ban on gambling have also served as a catalyst for the introduction of the amendments to the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.

According to the statement of objects and reasons provided with the amendments to the police act the new law is needed to make gambling a cognisable and non-bailable offence other than gaming in public streets which is cognisable and bailable.

The new law has also been introduced to include the use of cyberspace including computer resources or any other communication device as defined in the Information Technology Act 2000 in the process of gaming to curb the menace of gaming through internet, mobile app.

The amended law covers all forms of wagering or betting in connection with any game of chance with the exception of horse races and lotteries. The amended law also puts betting on the skills of others in the category of gambling and also states that any act of risking money or otherwise on the unknown result of an event including on a game of skill is an offence. Unlike the existing law which was not applicable to betting by players involved in a game of skill, the amended law provides an exception only to the playing of any pure game of skill and not to wagering by persons taking part in such game of skill. According to the amended law all forms of wagering or betting, including in the form of tokens valued in terms of money paid before or after issue of it, or electronic means and virtual currency, electronic transfer of funds in connection with any game of chance, will be considered as gambling.

The new law enhances maximum punishment for owners of gambling centres from one year to three years of imprisonment and fines from Rs 1000 to Rs 1 lakh. The minimum punishment proposed is six months instead of the current one month and a fine of Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 500. For aiding or abetting gambling, the punishment has been enhanced to six months imprisonment and a Rs 10,000 fine. A first offence of managing a gaming house will attract the minimum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000 while a second offence will entail imprisonment for a year and fine of Rs 15,000. A third offence will attract an imprisonment of 18 months and a fine of Rs 20,000.

This February, the Tamil Nadu government brought about a law to impose a comprehensive ban on all forms of gambling including online gaming. In August, the law was however struck down by the Madras High Court as being ultra vires and unnecessary after it was challenged by an online gaming firm. It is true that, broadly speaking, games and sporting activities in the physical form cannot be equated with games conducted in virtual mode or in cyberspace. However, when it comes to card games or board games such as chess or Scrabble, there is no distinction between the skill involved in the physical form of the activity or in the virtual form. It is true that Arnold Palmer or Severiano Ballesteros may never have mastered how golf is played on the computer or Messi or Ronaldo may be outplayed by a team of infants in a virtual game of football, but Viswanathan Anand or Omar Sharif would not be so disadvantaged when playing their chosen games of skill on the virtual mode. Such distinction is completely lost in the Amending Act as the original scheme in the Act of 1930 of confining gaming to games of chance has been turned upside down and all games outlawed if played for a stake or for any prize, a bench of the Tamil Nadu high court said in its order on August 3, 2021. The partial inclusion of games of skill as acts of gambling in the amended Karnataka Police Act is likely to come under scrutiny.

The Bill tabled in the Karnataka Assembly seeks to equate all games including online chess, online farming with the same brush as online gambling. The bill has made some exemptions including online betting on horse racing. I am not sure that application of a judicial mind will see any compelling rationale to this move, said a corporate lawyer employed with a gaming company. The government should consider regulation rather than legislation. The industry has submitted itself to the idea of regulation being brought in and already moved towards some steps of self-regulation. A comprehensive framework with active participation of the industry association is a prudent way forward, the lawyer said.

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Explained: How has the Karnataka Police Act been modified to clamp down on gambling - The Indian Express