Karnataka chess hit after ban on online gaming: KSCA

The recent ban on online gaming including the “game of skill” implemented by the State Government of Karnataka has adversely impacted the chess ecosystem in the State, says Karnataka state Chess Association (KSCA)

D.P Ananth, President, Karnataka state Chess Association, said the ban has hindered corporate sponsorships, especially from online skill gaming companies affected by the bill, and in turn has affected organizations like KSCA.

“We would request the honourable State Government to make necessary amendments to the law and help games of skills like chess to flourish in the state and the country,” he said.

Chess is among the most popular sports in Karnataka with players across all parts of the state. Currently there are more than 6,000 registered players who have brought many laurels to the state in national and international tournaments. At this juncture, the ban in Karnataka on online gaming including the “game of  skill” has adversely affected the corporate sponsorships and tournaments, which were helpful in many ways, have started drying up and it is clearly a setback for the ecosystem as the looming uncertainty due to the ban has hindered sponsorships.

The Confederation of All India Traders and the Internet and Mobile Association of India had also raised concerns about the ban. They had highlighted that the ban would render many businesses unable to operate, as hundreds of desi game development studios are based in Bengaluru, and they will end up losing contracts and customer bases.

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Moreover, the courts have also defended ‘games of skill’ and most of all, it is allowed by the Constitution. Furthermore, experts say the blanket ban would increase black markets and other illegal offshore games to boom.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly had implemented the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to ban online gambling and betting involving all forms of wagering.