Key Announcement by Central Government on Gaming and Online Betting

The Central Government has made a key announcement regarding gaming and online betting. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in the Lok Sabha that individual states have the authority to enact their own laws on these matters. He also noted that the Central Government is taking measures to regulate these activities.

Responding to a question raised by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran, Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Tamil Nadu government has already banned online gaming. Maran had asked whether the Central Government was evading its moral responsibility by not acting against such practices.

Ashwini Vaishnaw replied, “No one has the right to question the morality of the Central Government.” He clarified that the Constitution grants states both the legal and moral authority to legislate on this subject. He urged members to understand the federal structure of the country.

While emphasizing that gaming and online betting fall within the jurisdiction of the states, Ashwini Vaishnaw also stated that the Central Government has taken action based on complaints received and has banned 1,410 gaming websites.