Poll: Could India prove to be an attractive market?
With the courts set to rule on online poker's legality eGR asks whether a regulated Indian market would attract foreign operators
All eyes will be on what could be a landmark ruling in India in the coming weeks as the country’s highest court prepares to judge whether online card games for money can be deemed a legal activity.
Last week, eGaming Review reported that India’s Supreme Court will next month assess whether the offer of online cards games, such as poker, for stakes fall foul of the country’s strict gambling laws.
At present, all forms of gambling are illegal in the country, with gambling deemed to be any activity involving playing of games of chance, such as casino games, for money.
Poker also falls under this remit, however, local operators have recently argued that card games for stakes are based on ‘mere skill’ and therefore should be categorised as a legal activity.
Observers believe there is a good chance the ruling will open up the prospect of a regulated Indian market and this week’s eGR poll asks whether India has the potential to be an attractive one for egaming operators.
On the face of it, India should prove to be a lure for foreign gaming companies and Amaya CEO David Baazov has already indicated that PokerStars has been sizing-up the country.
With a population of more than 1.2bn “ four times the size of the US “ India has huge potential, however, with large sections living in deprived conditions and question marks over gaming tax rates, payments, marketing and technology issues, the short term-gain for operators is less certain.
So will India be an attractive market for foreign operators? Have your say on the right-hand side of the page.