Mumbai, Jul 8 (PTI) The Maharashtra government will request the Centre to enact a special law for effective regulation of online lottery and gaming platforms, state minister Pankaj Bhoyar told the legislative assembly on Tuesday.
He was responding to a question raised by MLA Kishor Jorgewar during the Question Hour.
Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Home (Rural), said the state has been witnessing a rise in cybercrimes linked to online gambling and gaming.
In response, the Maharashtra Cyber Department has undertaken various initiatives, including awareness campaigns through social media and on-ground cyber literacy programmes aimed at educating the public.
Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 3,253 police officers and personnel across the state were given specialised training in modern cybercrime investigation techniques, he said.
While there is currently no standalone law in place to ban online games, Bhoyar noted that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, were notified by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on April 6, 2023, under the Information Technology Act. These rules provide a framework for digital content and online platform regulation.
The state government intends to pursue further regulatory mechanisms through the central government to ensure public safety and curb misuse, Bhoyar said. PTI MR NP
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