India, Aug. 20 -- Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge has strongly criticised the Centre's proposal to impose a blanket ban on online real money gaming, calling it another example of "bad policymaking" by the Modi government. He argued that instead of prohibition, a well-regulated framework is the only way to safeguard jobs, revenues, and national security.

Kharge warned that the move would have severe economic consequences. According to him, the online real money gaming industry contributes nearly Rs.20,000 crore annually to state and central revenues through GST and income tax. A sudden ban, he said, would wipe out this income stream.

Highlighting the scale of the sector, the minister pointed out that over 2,000 gaming startups and m...