‘Threat To Children's Health': Karnataka Advocates' Group Seeks Ban On Online Gaming

Lotteries have been banned in parts of the country, as social reformers expressed worries about individuals becoming hooked to gambling and ruining their families. 

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Concerned about the growing tendency of children to become addicted to technology, particularly online gaming, a Bengaluru-based Advocates' Association has requested the Karnataka government to prohibit apps that pose a ‘threat to children's health'. 

As reported by The Hindu, the Advocates' Association President S Umesh in a plea to the government raised concerns over the internet gambling apps becoming more dangerous than single-digit lottery, which even led to suicides in Karnataka.

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Lotteries have been banned in parts of the country, as social reformers expressed worries about individuals becoming hooked to gambling and ruining their families. 

Umesh also alleged that online games are dangerously close to gambling, adding that if the government does not act quickly, they will pursue legal action. 

“Though some gaming companies try to make a distinction between 'game of skill', which is legal, and 'game of chance', which is illegal, in reality, most games promote betting and children are falling for the trap,” the association said.  

It also underlined the lack of transparency in the companies' internal financial dealings. The collection and distribution of money are never disclosed by such companies, which is why it is always unclear as to what percentage of the total sum is collected and is given away as rewards by these betting-like online gaming companies. 

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and a few other states have prohibited all sorts of internet games that require payment in response to concerns of gambling and suicides. 

Amid a pandemic situation, the naive and helpless parts of society, particularly the youth, are falling prey to online gaming and betting.