In fantasy games surge, policy plays catch-up with reality

As different courts and state governments debate its legality, there is a growing body of opinion in the official establishment in favour of a unified regulatory apparatus that allows online fantasy games — and looks at opening some doors to legalising sports betting.

In a draft paper last month, Niti Aayog, the government’s policy think tank, proposed “uniform national-level regulation” of Online Fantasy Sports Platforms (OFSPs) with a set of initiatives: “legislative safe harbour,” “light-touch regulatory framework,” and “self-regulation.”

Inviting stakeholder comments until January 18, Niti Aayog, citing a KPMG India report, flagged the sharp surge in the sector: 2 million users in June 2016 to 90 million December 2019; number of OFSPs up from 10 in 2016 to more than 140 in 2019;