In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Karnataka government has appointed Mr. Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, a 2009-batch IPS officer, as the new Commissioner of Police, Belagavi City. He replaces his previous role as Deputy Inspector General (Cyber Crime and Narcotics).
Why the Transfer is Drawing Attention
Mr. Borase’s transfer comes at a critical juncture as Karnataka prepares to roll out a comprehensive regulatory framework for the online real money gaming (RMG) industry—an initiative in which he played a key role. As DIG, he led several high-level stakeholder consultations shaping the contours of India’s first proposed whitelisting mechanism for legal online gaming platforms.
Karnataka’s Bold Move on Online Gaming
The state government is developing a policy aimed at distinguishing legitimate skill-based gaming operators from illegal betting platforms. The regulatory roadmap includes:
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Age-gating to protect minors
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Mandatory licensing and registration of operators
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Grievance redressal systems for consumer protection
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Strict monitoring of offshore and grey-market platforms
Despite Mr. Borase’s transfer, top government officials have reaffirmed their intention to launch the new regulatory framework by end of 2025.
Political Will Behind the Reform
Chief Minister Mr. Siddaramaiah has emphasized the urgency of addressing online betting, directing Deputy Commissioners to take strict enforcement actions. Meanwhile, IT Minister Priyank Kharge and Law Minister H.K. Patil are in discussions about drafting enabling legislation that may serve as a national model.
The move is being closely watched by other states, particularly Maharashtra, which is simultaneously drafting its own gaming policy.
A Booming Industry with Legal Grey Areas
A recent Digital India Foundation report highlighted the explosive growth of unregulated offshore betting platforms such as Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, and Battery Bet, which collectively recorded 1.6 billion visits in just three months, heavily driven by social media promotions.
The Karnataka government aims to draw a clear legal line between gambling and skill-based gaming, curbing illegal betting while fostering legitimate business growth.
Industry Response
Gaming industry associations such as the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) have welcomed the state’s initiative with cautious optimism. Following the striking down of the 2021 Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill by the High Court, stakeholders are hopeful for a more balanced and constitutionally sound framework this time.
If implemented effectively, Karnataka’s new regulatory model could boost investor confidence, attract tech and gaming talent, and establish the state as a pioneer in modern gaming regulation.
