By News18
As India鈥檚 online gaming sector experiences unprecedented growth, the importance of responsible gaming and user protection has never been more critical. The vodcast series Game OK Please鈥攍aunched to spark meaningful conversations around these themes鈥攂rings together leading voices from sports, law, and the digital economy to explore the legal, social, and regulatory landscape of Fantasy Sports (FS) in India.
In its inaugural episode, the vodcast features Joy Bhattacharjya, sports commentator and the pioneer who introduced Fantasy Sports to India, Nandan Kamath, one of the country鈥檚 leading sports and technology lawyers, Bhavit Sheth, Co-Founder & COO, Dream Sports (parent company of Dream11) and Gowree Gokhale, a seasoned lawyer specializing in digital, media, and technology law.
The discussion is both timely and urgent, as India navigates a fragmented regulatory environment and mounting public interest in the real-money gaming sector.
Fantasy Sports 鈥 a journey spanning 70 years
Opening the discussion, Nandan Kamath talks about the history of Fantasy Sports and how it was used by Harvard professors to teach data analysis. Addressing the legal standing of Fantasy Sports, Nandan Kamath emphasizes the robust legal precedent that already exists. 鈥淚ndian courts鈥攆rom High Courts to the Supreme Court鈥攈ave consistently upheld Fantasy Sports as a 鈥榞ame of skill,鈥欌 he notes.
Fantasy Sports: A non-addictive platform for fan and sports engagement
Joy Bhattacharjya reinforces that Fantasy Sports is a platform for sports fans who want to engage more deeply with the sports. He also highlights how Fantasy Sports can only be played when there is a live match on, and hence can not be deemed addictive.鈥
Bhattacharjya likens Fantasy Sports to an exam where you study, prepare and research outside the platform, come to the platform only to draft your team and then wait for the results as you watch the match to see how your Fantasy Sports team has performed.
Users have the levers to control their gameplay
Bhavit Sheth shares how Dream11, as India鈥檚 largest fantasy platform, has made responsible gaming a foundational principle. 鈥淲e have given enough levers to our users to ensure they are able to play responsibly. These include tools to set monetary and time limits and self-exclusion tools.鈥
He also highlights how the industry has come together to adopt a joint code of ethics, aligning with global best practices in user safety and transparency, showcasing strong intent to ensure user safety.
User Autonomy Must Lead Policy Conversations
Gowree Gokhale urges regulators to look at Fantasy Sports through the lens of digital entertainment. 鈥淯sers should be trusted to make informed choices, and regulation should facilitate that autonomy rather than restrict it.鈥
She argues for a progressive, central regulatory framework that recognizes the sector鈥檚 unique characteristics.
The panel agrees鈥攖he path forward lies in progressive regulation, industry accountability, and an unwavering focus on user safety.
This is a Partnered Post.