Asia
Indian High Court Denies Blanket Ban on Gambling
The Delhi High Court received a request to start banning online sites that promote games of skill such as rummy. The complaint came from Deepti Bhagat and Avinash Mehrotra, who claimed that such sites were enticing gambling and draining money to offshore accounts.
Online gambling, as such, is already illegal in India, and the Reserve Bank of India claims to have made every effort to prevent offshore transactions to such companies from being processed. That said, it is well known that many international casinos continue to accept Indian players and that Indian online roulette and slots sites do exist.
The entire complaint was brought before the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi for examination. The result of that examination was the conclusion that the government is unable to regulate the operation of foreign companies or those hosted in other Indian states. In either case, the report also called for a more precise definition of games of skill vs games of chance, which have a blurry line dividing them.
The International Issue of Offshore Casinos
Offshore casinos, as they are called, are a problem for many countries that are trying to restrict gambling online in any way. While states are able to impose laws that will prohibit locals from starting online casinos and gambling sites within the country, not even the USA can regulate the operation of international websites, often situated in remote island states such as Panama.
Offshore casinos are granted licenses by local governments and are allowed to accept any players they choose, as such actions are not against the law of the country they are operating in. On the other hand, countries find it difficult to restrict play at such casinos as many are emerging with different domains, and the use of simple VPN software makes it next to impossible to prevent gaming.
The best most countries, including India, can do is prevent monetary transactions to the best of their ability. Yet, with so many different payment processors out there, even this becomes a nearly impossible task. Without restricting online trade altogether, restricting gambling transactions becomes very difficult.
Future of Online Gambling in India
Following the recent decision in Delhi, it remains likely that each of the Indian states will continue to regulate online gambling and online games of skill for itself. Online casinos are banned across the country in terms of hosting one, and this will likely remain such for years to come. We don’t expect any Indian state to allow legal hosting of online casinos within India.
That said, numerous online casinos that are hosted offshore continue to accept players from India and other countries with gambling regulation, and nothing short of an international intervention would prevent this. Since these are private companies hosted in sovereign nations, such a development seems very extreme and unlikely.
As such, the best conclusion at this time is that the status quo will continue for a long time. International casinos will keep accepting Indian deposits, while locals will also be able to legally play games of skills such as rummy at dedicated sites, some of which are affiliated with proper online casinos.
Moves by specific individuals and groups to ban these sites altogether are also likely to continue, as it does seem reasonable that a developing country like India should limit the number of funds that are leaving the country for offshore accounts, but there appears to be little that can be done about it at this time.
Asia
JETSYNTHESYS WELCOMES GOPAL SRINIVASAN, MADHUSUDANAN R, AND ARJUN SANTHANAKRISHNAN AS CHENNAI FRANCHISE OWNERS FOR GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2
JetSynthesys, a global leader in digital entertainment and technology, announces the addition of prominent industry leaders including Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Capital Funds Limited, Madhusudanan R, Co-founder of M2P Fintech and Arjun Santhanakrishnan, Group CEO of GS Global as the team owners for the Chennai franchise in the second season of its popular IP, Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL).
Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnan bring a wealth of expertise to GEPL’s growing ecosystem. Their acquisition of the Chennai franchise sheds light on the city’s deep-rooted connection to cricket, a sport that goes beyond entertainment to serve as a cornerstone of Chennai’s cultural identity. Their leadership and vision, coupled with their passion for innovation, will be instrumental in shaping the future of cricket esports in India and beyond.
The Global Esports Premier League (GEPL), hosted on the mobile app Real Cricket, JetSynthesys’ category-defining cricket video game, delivers the most authentic, immersive, and feature-rich cricket simulation experience for mobile users. Last year’s tournament attracted over 200,000 registrations and culminated in a rigorous selection process that identified the top 64 players who formed eight teams. The action-packed finale saw these eight teams play-off each other in and compete for global esports glory. With cumulative multiplatform reach of 70mn+, GEPL S1 was also streamed on JioCinema and witnessed a significant viewership of over 1.1mn+ mins.
Mr. Rajan Navani, CEO and founder, JetSynthesys, expressed his enthusiasm about these developments, “We are incredibly excited to have Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnan join as the team owners of Chennai franchise. Their combined experience brings a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with our vision to push the boundaries of cricket esports globally. Their involvement strengthens our resolve to not just grow GEPL, but to create an entire ecosystem where gaming, technology, and cricket intersect to inspire a new generation of gamers.”
The new team owners also shared their excitement about joining the league.
Mr. Gopal Srinivasan commented, “As a firm believer in the transformative power of technology, I’m happy to support the Global e-Cricket Premier League and the Chennai franchise. Esports offers a unique platform to nurture talent and foster inclusion. I look forward to witnessing the incredible skills and passion of our players and expanding India’s influence in the global esports landscape.”
Mr. Madhusudanan R added, “Cricket has always been a unifying force in India, and esports is rapidly transforming how we connect with the sport. Being part of the Chennai franchise in the GEPL allows us to tap into a growing digital audience and offer them a platform to showcase their skills. I am excited about the potential this league holds for fostering talent and pushing the boundaries of competitive eCricket.”
Mr. Arjun Santhanakrishnan said, “eCricket is redefining the boundaries of sports, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey with the Chennai franchise in the Global e-Cricket Premier League. The blend of cricket, technology, and esports is creating new opportunities for fan engagement and innovation, and I look forward to witnessing the next generation of esports talent from Chennai rise on the global stage.”
Mr. Rohit Potphode, CEO & League Commissioner of GEPL, enthused on the occasion, “We are thrilled to have Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnanonboard as the franchise team owners for Chennai. Their participation adds immense value to the league, not just from a leadership standpoint but in terms of fostering innovation and new opportunities for players. As we look ahead to Season 2, we are working hard to expand the league’s footprint and deliver an unparalleled competitive experience that will captivate both players and fans alike.”
The second season of GEPL is set to introduce an expanded team format, new league guidelines, and a more intense competitive framework, building on the success of Season 1. Real Cricket 24 continues to set the standard for cricket simulation with nuanced mechanics, challenging gameplay, and a focus on strategy. The finals for GEPL Season 2 are scheduled for January 2025, where the top teams will once again compete for the prestigious title of ‘e-Cricket Icon’ on a global stage.
Asia
SuperGaming Announces IIT Homegrown Qualifiers Winners; Teams Advance to Compete for ₹2 Crore Prize Pool
Pune, India, 11th December 2024 – SuperGaming is proud to announce the winners of the IIT Homegrown Qualifiers, showcasing India’s emerging esports talent.
The winning teams are:
- Team Rogue – ₹6 Lakhs
- DGE – ₹3 Lakhs
- Moggers – ₹1.5 Lakhs
Sankalp ‘Frosty’ Kore was named the MVP of the tournament with an impressive 43 Kills, taking home a cash prize of ₹1 Lakh for his exceptional performance.
These top teams have secured their spots in the IIT LAN finale, where they will compete for a massive ₹2 Crore prize pool.
In a related highlight, the recent playtest in the Philippines saw Kalidiman Esports emerge victorious, earning their place in the LAN finale and adding an international flair to the competition.
The next segment of the tournament is the IIT Nationals Qualifiers, where players will represent their respective states. Registrations for IIT Nationals Qualifiers (State Open Circuit) are now open. This stage features a prize pool of ₹10,00,000, with the top two teams advancing to the IIT LAN Finale.
Players can register here: https://forms.gle/6MFp6bdeZss22bd97
Through its ‘Clutch India Movement’ SuperGaming continues to elevate the Indian gaming ecosystem by nurturing homegrown talent. This initiative aims to empower homegrown players to compete and excel whilst driving India’s rise in the thriving global gaming industry.
Asia
Delasport Teams Up with Betable Group in UK and Philippines Partnership
Leading iGaming supplier Delasport has agreed a strategic partnership with Betable Group, that will see the pair working closely together in both the UK and the Philippines.
The deal means Betable Group brands in both markets will gain access to Delasport’s comprehensive sportsbook solution, on top of the existing Betable Gaming platform that offers both casino and bingo.
The strategic partnership will initially launch in the Philippines, before expanding to the UK shortly.
“This partnership is a win-win-win for Delasport, Betable, and their customers,” said Delasport’s CEO Oren Cohen Shwartz. “The UK and the Philippines are extremely appealing markets – one is mature and developed, while the other is emerging and full of potential. Thanks to Betable’s professionalism and reach, we can now quickly deliver our award-winning solution to more operators worldwide.”
Charlie Noble, COO at Betable Group, added: “Integrating Delasport’s sportsbook product now allows our partner operators in the UK and the Philippines to offer players a complete gaming experience. We’ve been extremely impressed by Delasport’s sportsbook product, and this partnership underlines our commitment to delivering the very best to both our operator partners and the end user.”
Delasport’s Plug & Play iFrame solution is an operator favourite, due to a range of unique features that sport bettors love to engage with.
-
Balkans1 day ago
Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership
-
eSports1 day ago
BETBY ENHANCES ESPORTS EXPERIENCE WITH EXPANDED OUTRIGHTS AND PLAYER PROPS PORTFOLIO
-
Aquisitions/Mergers2 days ago
PolarLotto Acquires Competitor and Strengthens Market Position
-
Latest News1 day ago
3 Day Countdown Starts for Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 3.0
-
Compliance Updates1 day ago
New Zealand Introduces Racing Act Changes to Extend TAB NZ Monopoly
-
Latest News1 day ago
Fire up the fun with sizzling wins, multipliers and free spins and a delicious a max win potential of 102,840x
-
eSports1 day ago
Abios enhances esoccer solution with bet builder launch
-
Latest News1 day ago
Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 4 December – 10 December 2024