Fantasy sports doesn’t equal gambling, Indian High Court finds

By: Sarah O'Brien
- August 8, 2017
- LikeUnlikeLike
- 735 Views
AN Indian high court has ruled that fantasy sports requires a high level of skill.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has determined that playing fantasy sports on the web is not considered to be gambling in the country.
The ruling could pave the way for a legalised sports betting industry in India.
Justice Amit Rawal reviewed the issue which was raised by Varun Gumber. The resident of Chandigarh state had wanted the court to prosecute a fantasy sports site for promoting gambling.
Most forms of gambling in India is illegal, though some states have legalised certain games. Sikkim is the only state to allow online gambling in the country. But skill-based games, such as poker and Gin Rummy, are legal.
It is the first time a court has had to deal with the legal status of fantasy sports, however.
Gumber claimed he deposited Rs. 50,000 at Dream11, created two fantasy teams and then lost the money on two fantasy sports matchup games, according to the Indian Times.
He wanted the court to investigate the website under the Public Gambling Act 1867, created well before fantasy sports even existed.
But the court rejected Gumber’s case based on a Supreme Court judgement which determined that horse racing betting is a game of skill. Justice Rawal said the judgement applies directly to fantasy sports.
“After forming a virtual team as per his own selection, knowledge and judgment, which is thoughtful will, he joined various leagues and after registration which was declared before participating,” Justice Rawal said in his ruling.
The court referred to Gumber’s actions, including monitoring sporting events and statistical performance of the players, as well as weather conditions and other components, to conclude the game as one which requires skill.
Leading up to his decision, Justice Rawal reviewed Dream11’s terms and conditions. He noted that the company regularly pays service and income taxes. Justice Rawal also said he perceived Dream11 as a registered incorporated entity that operated responsibly.
The court concluded that since fantasy sports is not gambling, it is a business activity which is protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution for the free right to trade.
The decision contradicts the recent recommendations in Massachusetts, USA, that daily fantasy sports – a form of fantasy sports – amounts to gambling.
The Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports released a report prompting the State Legislature to class DFS games as online gambling products.
The Indian ruling not only gives the budding fantasy sports industry in the country a boost, but it could also open the floodgates for sports betting.
Following public consultation on the possibility of legalising sports betting, the country’s Sports Ministry has reportedly commenced discussions on the best way to do it.
Sports Secretary, Injeti Srinivas, has reportedly met with the UK Gambling Commission Director, Nick Tofiluk, to talk about the matter. The Indian government may utilise the UK regulatory framework to shape its own with regards to sports betting.
The ruling is good news for sports betting punters, and even better news for fantasy sports players.
You may also like
Best Bookmakers & Sportsbooks
Top Online Casinos
Latest Betting News
- Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs Top Betting Predictions | NFL
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Green Bay Packers Top Betting Predictions
- UFC 257 Prelim Card preview, picks and best bets for January 23
- UFC 257 Main Card preview, picks and best bets for January 23
- Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier best bets & picks | UFC 257 23/1
- Chiesa vs. Magny Main Card Betting Preview & Top Predictions |UFC
- Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs Top Betting Tips | NFL
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints Top Betting Tips | NFL
- Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers Top Betting Predictions |NFL
- Betting Predictions For Prelim Fight Night At Fight Island | UFC
Casino Guides
- Safest online casino jurisdictions
- How to guides
- How to win at pokies
- How to play online pokies
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- 32Red Casino Review
- All Slots Casino Review
- Boombet Casino review
- Horse racing games at casinos
- Credit card deposits at online casinos
- Films about blackjack
- Live dealer casinos
- How to play live dealer blackjack party
- Online Blackjack
- Online Casinos
- Online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- Online slots
- Playing Pai Gow Poker on the Internet
- Online keno
- Online poker
- Online poker tournament structures
- Real money online roulette 2020
- Online multi-wheel roulette – what is it?
- How to play online scratch cards in 2020
- Sit & Go online poker tournaments
- Skrill e-wallet deposits at online casinos
- Visa online casino deposits
Sports Betting Guides
Casino Games
Deposits & Withdrawals
Football
Basketball
Top Country Betting sites
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Ghana
- Grenada
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe