I think this ban feels more like a political knee jerk move than a well thought out policy. India has one of the largest bases of fantasy sports and online betting users, and instead of regulating and taxing it properly, they’ve essentially handed the market over to underground bookies and offshore sites.

Personally, Im not directly affected, but I think players will still find ways to bet, just now through riskier, unregulated channels. In the long run, it might force the government to revisit and draft clearer regulations, but in the short term it’s messy and disruptive. Im not gonna get shock when it does happened it too in our beloved country Philippines.