A Peek into Poker's Bright Future in India's Landscape of 'Games of Skill', 2015 Update
India's Poker Milestones in 2015: Significant Occurrences Reviewed
2015 marked a pivotal year for poker enthusiasts in India. The Indian government promised to make reforms in the gaming industry, particularly regarding the online sector, which was a ray of hope for all. These changes were expected to benefit both the government and society as a whole, as poker was often perceived as a social evil.
Poker, recognized as a 'game of skill' in India, has grown steadily much like a snowball. Despite this, it has not escaped society's attention. While exploitation exists, as seen in Goa's casinos, the government receives substantial revenue from tourists and gaming, as evidenced by the decision to review the legislation on floating casinos.
Speaking of black markets, they point to the growing number of players and the surge in online games. One of the poker sites in India lists the key poker-related events in the country for 2015.
1. The Online Poker Boom in Sikkim
In 2015, Sikkim (an Indian state) granted several licenses for internet operators. However, due to the problematic intersection of new rules with old laws, the government requested three licensees to halt their gaming operations temporarily. On July 30, the government made necessary amendments, restricting online games to within the state of Sikkim and barring the local population from entering casinos. Despite this, the issue of licenses boosted the online gaming industry in the country and offered a promising start for other states.
In 2015, Poker High, a popular TV program, began broadcasting from local series like Rocket Poker Series and IPC December Finale. New sites such as StarPoker, Spartan Poker, and reinvigorated platforms like Thrill Poker, Noble Aces, Khelo365, PokerBaazi, and Adda52 also emerged, introducing larger promotional events, tournaments with guarantees, cash games, and satellite events to live tournaments. The online poker scene in 2016 showed great promise for further improvements in the industry.
2. The Controversial Casinos of Goa
Goa, the hub of poker players, continues to be the epicenter of India's poker industry. Despite the emergence of live poker rooms and online poker, Goa maintains its status as a breeding ground for poker players, hosting three offshore casinos that offer poker as well. Regulated casinos have long been political pawns, used by both ruling parties and the opposition to gain support among the masses.
Local residents have raised concerns about corruption among youth, loss of livelihood for fishermen, and environmental hazards. The ruling party had vowed to relocate casinos from the Mandovi River during their election campaign, but there have been obstacles in implementing this promise. By August 2015, four potential locations for the casinos were found in Aguada Bay, Sal, Chapora, and Zuari rivers. Although the deadline for the casino relocation was extended to March 31, 2016, there were indicators suggesting positive changes for the casino industry in Goa.
Skill vs. Chance Debate
The legal status of online poker in India often depends on the "skill vs. chance" debate. If a game is predominantly skill-based, it is not categorized as gambling. Platforms offering games like poker and rummy can operate legally under the "game of skill" tag.
The future of online poker in India is promising, as states like Sikkim pave the way with favorable regulations. However, the broader Indian legal landscape remains complex, with many states banning gambling, which may impact the industry's growth. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
I'm playing poker in one of the casino-games available at the reinvigorated platforms like Thrill Poker, Noble Aces, Khelo365, PokerBaazi, and Adda52, which emerged in 2015 as new sites in the expansive landscape of casino-and-gambling in India.
The controversy surrounding Goa's casinos, a popular hub for poker players in India, continues, with concerns over corruption among youth, loss of livelihood for fishermen, and environmental hazards, despite the government's efforts to relocate them from the Mandovi River.
