India’s sweeping ban on money-based online games has ignited one of the most polarising debates in recent memory, pitting the need for consumer protection against the economic promise of a booming industry. The government has framed the move as a safeguard against addiction, financial ruin and psychological distress, citing cases of young people pushed into debt and despair by the lure of easy winnings.

For many families, the dangers of unchecked gambling are painfully real, and in that sense the ban reflects a genuine attempt to shield citizens from harm. Yet, the abruptness and breadth of the law raise difficult questions. The prohibition does not differentiate between games of chance and games of skill, despite multiple high court rulings and even a Supreme Court affirmation that fantasy sports and similar formats require talent and decision-making. By treating poker, fantasy cricket and pure........

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