If Fantasy Sports India Is Ok, Why Not Online Betting?

Online betting and fantasy sports in India are a part of the Indian online sports ecosystem. It is gaining immense popularity among the Indian sports lovers. Sports fans play fantasy cricket because of the opportunity to earn daily cash, but there is a creeping fear of losing money. 

Families of the users have reported cases of suicides and domestic violence and were subjected to criminal activities after their family members lost a substantial amount in online betting. The affected families found themselves in an uncalled-for financial crisis and impoverishment. 

So far, no statutory body regulated fantasy gaming apps in India. Hence, the Indian government set up a committee to analyze the situation and control online games in India. 

The committee reportedly found a significant difference between online betting and fantasy sports.

These findings will decide the fate, future, and direction of Indian online sports and which of the two gets the approval to operate online.

According to the committee, fantasy cricket is a game of skill. You create a team on the online fantasy cricket app and become the owner, selector, and coach. Then you need to develop a plan necessary to succeed in a fantasy cricket contest because your fantasy sports results depend on how the chosen players perform in an actual game. 

You will have to consider many factors to devise a successful match-winning strategy, such as the match format, the field, the playing conditions, weather, playing eleven, whether you have in-form or out-of-form players, etc., all come as a part of your strategy, which requires knowledge, awareness, judgment, and skills which betting, gambling, and wagering lack.

The committee inferred that planning is the key to earning money in fantasy sports. Focusing on the strategy sets fantasy cricket apart from betting. For example, you have selected players like M.S. Dhoni, the captain, solely based on his performance. However, you will not speculate that Dhoni will make a 50 in 25 balls, which is pure betting.

Fantasy Sports received a government nod.

Fantasy sports have received official backing from the Indian government, while betting and wagering are considered outlaws on the following grounds. 

In fantasy cricket leagues, users form a squad by selecting a mix of players from various teams. They put their stakes on top players of a live match or tournament. Users of fantasy cricket leverage their experience of the game. There is no element of luck or speculation, which is often the case in betting and wagering.

Online gaming companies are happy about the policy certainty on fantasy sports in India and the consideration that fantasy cricket is a game of skill. 

Curbing online betting and related advertisements

According to the committee investigation, the Indian government has restricted any sort of betting, gambling, and wagering, including related ads in media. 

The reason cited by the government is betting disturbs the very essence of our social framework and adversely affects societal values. Betting is not favorable to Indian society at large. 

Fantasy sports, rummy, and poker do not fall under betting, as you need skill, knowledge, awareness, and judgment to play cricket online. 

The thin line between betting and fantasy sports

When selecting players for your fantasy sports team, you must consider their past performance, current form, and other relevant information. You expect the chosen sportsperson to do well and meet your expectations. 

For example, including Virat Kohli in your team with an expectation that he would do well is based on his past performance or current form, which is a legitimate sporting activity, but speculating a ton from him and putting money on him based on your speculation is betting. 

There is no limiting factor for putting your money in fantasy cricket. However, if you put money on betting websites, it may call for trouble for you.

Fantasy games online have an enormous amount riding on their shoulders. However, families of fantasy sports users have reported cases of suicides, and hence many consider them akin to betting.

Government forms self-regulatory bodies (SRBs).

The government formed self-regulatory bodies (SRB) to monitor online fantasy sports. The SRBs will have representatives from various industries, like members from public policymakers and children's rights specialists, psychology and mental health experts, educationists, etc. These SRBs will receive funds from the sponsors and industries to function. 

The analysts doubt if the companies create and fund the SRBs, they could lack fairness and objectivity. They also feel that SRBs must be available to resolve conflicts and disputes. 

Hence, online gaming companies want the SRBs to be free from any representation from members of fantasy sports or related companies so that SRBs can deliver an unbiased and fair judgment.

Court Judgment favoring fantasy sports

Indian courts' judgment states that users play fantasy games based on their skills and do not fall under the ambit of gambling. This judgment encompasses all fantasy sports, rummy, and poker. The law applies to fantasy sports apps, including fantasy football apps.

The Indian courts have curbed the game of chance, such as wagering, betting, or online gambling. SRBs will closely monitor the online games and will address any complaints raised.

Final Thought

The T20 cricket tournament is attracting large amounts of money, and the daily fantasy sports league offers a chance to win money every day. The popularity of Indian online fantasy sports has created an industry with a 30-crore user base, and analysts project it to become a $20-billion revenue industry by 2030. Indian policymakers cannot ignore the contribution of fantasy cricket to the Indian economy.