Nagaland first Indian state to approve online skill games legislation

Nagaland, a small state in northeast India, has become the first Indian state to approve online skill games legislation, which could authorize the licensing of real-money online poker, rummy and fantasy sports sites.

Last July, Chief Minister TR Zeilang introduced the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion of Online Games of Skill Bill, 2015, The bill specifically defines gambling as “wagering or betting on games of chance” while exempting games “where there is preponderance of skill over chance.”

Nagaland politicians sought further study of the bill by a select committee, which delivered its report to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday. The Morung Express reported that the committee claimed to be satisfied with both the bill’s legalities and its potential for revenue generation, and thus unanimously recommended the bill be passed.

GLaws.in reported that the bill now requires only the state governor’s signature to become law, after which the government will begin drafting regulations and licensing details, a process that is expected to take a few months.