Startup Originals Team
Entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal has strongly voiced his criticism over India’s recent ban on real-money gaming-a move he believes has dealt a severe blow to a sector with massive economic and job-creating potential. Mittal’s candid remarks on LinkedIn have ignited debate about the cost of policy decisions driven by morality and public concern.
The Economic Impact: Revenue, Jobs, and Advertising
Mittal highlighted the sweeping consequences of the ban:
- The real-money gaming sector was contributing ₹27,000 crore annually in GST collections.
- It generated over ₹10,000 crore in advertising revenue for the Indian market.
- Thousands of people earned legitimate livelihoods through skill-based gaming platforms.
He argued that, in a single decision, all of this economic activity and opportunity was abruptly ended.
Addiction, Bans, and Black Markets: Mittal’s Arguments
Mittal acknowledged that the government’s intention-to address addiction and financial harm-was fair. However, he contended that outright bans rarely address the root problem:
- Despite bans on products like gutka, usage persists.
- Societal ills like alcoholism or risky stock trading are not banned but regulated.
- Bans often drive activity underground, creating unregulated black markets. Mittal cited reports of India’s illegal gaming market ballooning to ₹8.3 lakh crore.
He warned that banning the sector has not only reduced government revenue but also stripped users of protections and fueled illegal operators.
A Missed Global Opportunity:
The entrepreneur observed that, while the ban may seem like a short-term victory, it undermines India’s long-term ambitions. By preventing the growth of a domestic gaming industry, India loses a chance to compete globally in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital sectors.
Mittal described the move as “moral policing dressed up as policy” and questioned whether India is trying to “out-ban China,” calling for a rethink of such restrictive approaches.
Perspective on India’s Global Role:
In his recent posts, Mittal also praised India’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse, emphasizing that the nation is now negotiating on its terms and shining on the world stage. However, he cautioned against blindly adopting technology hype from the West and urged balanced, self-determined policy decisions.
Conclusion:
Mittal’s critique of the real-money gaming ban underscores the delicate balance policymakers must strike between societal concerns, economic growth, and user protection. His arguments serve as a rallying cry to rethink policy approaches that risk sacrificing opportunity and innovation for short-term wins.
