Thread by @KShriniwasRao

#Thread

#FantasyGaming #Esports #OnlineGaming #OnlineBetting

It’s a jungle out there. And there’s so much confusion in the minds of people that it’s a nightmare at times figuring what’s legal, what’s not; what’s ‘approved’, what’s not.

(1/25)

At one point, I myself was left in total confusion about the space. It’s a mess.

There are platforms approved by the courts in the country. There are platforms that aren’t.

That bit is absolutely clear.

(2/25)

Confusion is beginning to emerge largely because of one reason: Platforms that don’t have the necessary approvals are piggy-backing platforms that have the approvals. In that lies the whole mess.

What constitutes as game of skill and what doesn’t?

(3/25)

At the very core, that’s the moot question.

Is Ludo & Snakes & Ladders a game of skill?
Is picking a Playing XI ahead of two teams playing a match a game of skill?
Is Rummy a game of skill?
Is Poker a game of skill?

(4/25)

Before we touch upon all this, let’s start with horse-racing in India. It has been an approved ‘event’ across racecourses in the country for decades. People bet on horses.

But courts deem it as a game of skill. And of course, there are valid reasons to it.

(5/25)

A lot goes into training of horses, jockeys’ lives depend on maintaining body weight, riding the horse itself is skill, nurturing thoroughbreds is an art.

It’s all definitely skill-based. People bet on horses. But does that make it illegal? No.

(6/25)

The same logic must be applied across parameters.

But first let’s look at something else too. What’s common between Shahrukh Khan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Sourav Ganguly & MS Dhoni? They’re all endorsing fantasy platforms.

(7/25)

Now, first of all, these men wouldn’t publicly endorse a platform that the government has deemed illegal. Would they?

In the past I raised issues about Mr Ganguly endorsing MyXICircle. But that wasn’t because MyXICircle was wrong.

(8/25)

My thoughts on the matter stemmed from the fact that it a conflict on part of Mr Ganguly to be endorsing a fantasy platform which is a direct rival of BCCI’s own official partner – consider he is the BCCI president.

It was an issue of conflict.

(9/25)

But that should not cast doubt on the validity of fantasy platforms. Multiple High Courts in the country, and the Supreme Court have given their approvals in this regard.

Not just in India, but globally, fantasy platform is considered a game of skill.

(10/25)

Now, if anybody has a problem with it – please approach the Courts.

Honestly, I find all these arguments bordering on hypocrisy. We don’t mind being in awe of English Premier League (EPL) whose own fantasy platform is a global leader is the space.

(11/25)

Here’s something about Fantasy Gaming (don’t know how many have looked at it this way).

You can indulge in Fantasy Gaming only before a match. Once the match starts, it’s irrelevant. It’s about making your Playing XI

(12/25)

Compare that to Ludo & Snakes & Ladders that you pay money online for and play – You can keep playing it and spending your money 24x7.

Second, if you don’t follow the sport, you won’t understand Fantasy Gaming.

(13/25)

Now, I’m not saying this. Courts in India have taken these into account. Read up – there’s a lot online.

In February, the Karnataka High Court lifted all bans on the fantasy league businesses.

Start with these links:
livemint.com/companies/news…

thehindu.com/news/national/…

(14/25)

It’s like alcohol and tobacco. You may not like to drink but I do; I may not smoke but you do – eventually our personal choices are about us. Not the society in general.

The society is governed by a set of laws so it’s important to know what the law says.

(15/26)

Whenever an SRK or Ganguly or Dhoni are doing these fantasy gaming ads, hear them carefully.

It’s like that overstated line “Mutual Funds Are Subject To Market Risks”. (then technically, that’s a gamble too).

Heck, life’s a gamble. No?

(16/25)

Anyway, the point is, you’ll hear SRK, Dhoni and others reading out that line at the end of the commercial: Kripya saare dastavez padhe, aur apne jokham pe aur zimmedari se khelein.

(Please read the terms carefully & play at your own risk, play responsibly).

(17/25)

It’s like what comes written on a pack of cigarettes – Causes cancer. But people indulge, right?

Why? Because legally it is allowed.

Niti Aayog has done a white paper on Fantasy gaming (if this doesn't affirm legality, I don't know what does): niti.gov.in/sites/default/…

(18/25)

Forget legal, fantasy platforms are now among the top sources of tax revenues for the government. Potentially half-a-billion dollars every year and will only grow bigger.

Don’t confuse any of this with E-Sports. That’s a different world altogether.

(19/25)

The Courts say ‘Rummy’ is also legal. First of all, it is Court-approved (as game of skill). Skill must exceed the element of chance) – as a good friend points out.

What’s toss at cricket? A toss, at times, can affect the game in a large way.

(20/25)

Here’s a list of what’s legal & what’s not”
* Legal: offline & online card rummy (courts say it’s game of skill).
* Poker has few judgements calling it a game of skill but there are judgements against it too.
* Ludo / Snakes & Ladders have no judgements in their favour.

(21/25)

Alternately, there are illegal websites – masked under random news or content websites – that offer betting links.

Those are illegal. In that, you’re betting on the game (which I personally think will also be legal in the future).

But right now, it’s illegal.

(22/25)

Here are some offshore operators in India: Betway, 22Bet, Casumo, Parimatch, Fun88, Comeon, Bet365, 10Crc, LeoVegas, MelBet, MostBet, LibraBet, FunBet.

Guess where all these companies are headquartered? Between Malta, Cyprus & Isle of Man. 😅

(23/25)

How are they operating? Illegally.

The authorities need to curb this but it’s not easy. The IPs run into millions.

But while that happens, let me reiterate the purpose of this thread: What Courts in India have agreed too, can’t be illegal.

(24/25)

To end this, here’s how I’ll put it:

Fantasy Gaming is an extension of how a sport is consumed globally. You may like it, you may not – that’s perfectly alright.

What’s not right is adding conjecture without understanding legalities.

(Ends)