Ethics & Policy
IPL: By Indulging In Online Betting, Are You Risking Jail Time? | EXCLUSIVE
IPL 2024: By Indulging In Online Betting Are You Risking Jail Time. (IPL)
Photo : PTI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- There is a considerable rise in online betting during the IPL season.
- India lacks a central law governing online betting.
- Times Now Digital EXCLUSIVE: Can online betting get you in trouble?
But the rise of online betting platforms in India has also ignited another debate – is placing a bet online really a crime, and could it land you in jail? Before getting to the answer one must understand that India’s legal landscape regarding online betting is a complex web. Some states have enacted specific laws, with some like Sikkim regulating online forms, while others like Andhra Pradesh completely outlaw it. So, is jail time a real possibility?
“The response to this will depend upon the State in which a user is located (and accordingly the applicable provisions of the prevailing legislation in that State),” explained Bhalla.
“The rigorous states in India (such as in the State of Assam) prescribe fines and imprisonment for person(s) engaging in betting. On the other hand, the relatively recent statutes (such as the one in Tamil Nadu) provide for the regulation of online platforms offering online games of skill,” he added.
The booming popularity of online betting platforms in India has also led to marketing strategies and sponsorship deals with prominent sports teams. Betting sites such as Parimatch sponsor some big clubs, such as Mohun Bagan Football Club. But if it is illegal, how do they manage to operate and lure users to place bets?
“It is only owing to the presence of legal loopholes that betting platforms are allowed to market/advertise their services. The primary legal gap is under The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code). Rules, 2021 which provides for setting up of self-regulatory bodies to analyze and determine whether a particular real money online gaming platform should be allowed to operate in India. Since these self-regulatory bodies have not yet been formed, there isn’t any regulatory body in India that is authorized to determine the legality of an online real money gaming platform. It is because of this legal lacuna that betting platforms are marketing their services in a widespread manner,” he said.
So, is there a specific law in place for sports betting in India? “While there is no specific legislation in India that specifically deals with sports betting, there are some central and state legislations that govern aspects of betting/gambling (and would encompass sports betting as well).
“While some of these legislations provide for a complete ban, some of them provide for a regulatory mechanism (i.e. permit the operation of a betting platform subject to registration/grant of license).
“For users, it would mean that they would be wary and cautious of whether or not the platform is permitted to operate in a particular state. They should always conduct their due diligence on their part to ensure that they don’t engage with a platform which seems suspicious in nature (and could potentially be a scam).
“For companies intending to set up a betting platform, it’s best to reach out to a reputed legal firm to get an opinion on the options available to them for the operation of an online real money gambling/gaming platform,” he concluded.
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The generative AI industry, once hailed as a beacon of innovation, now faces a storm of regulatory scrutiny and reputational crises. For investors, the stakes are clear: companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google must navigate a rapidly evolving legal landscape while balancing ethical obligations with profitability. This article examines how regulatory and reputational risks are reshaping the investment calculus for AI leaders, with a focus on Meta’s struggles and the contrasting strategies of its competitors.
The Regulatory Tightrope
In 2025, generative AI platforms are under unprecedented scrutiny. A Senate investigation led by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is probing whether Meta’s AI systems enabled harmful interactions with children, including romantic roleplay and the dissemination of false medical advice [1]. Leaked internal documents revealed policies inconsistent with Meta’s public commitments, prompting lawmakers to demand transparency and documentation [1]. These revelations have not only intensified federal oversight but also spurred state-level action. Illinois and Nevada, for instance, have introduced legislation to regulate AI mental health bots, signaling a broader trend toward localized governance [2].
At the federal level, bipartisan efforts are gaining momentum. The AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act, introduced by Hawley and Richard Blumenthal, seeks to establish legal remedies for data misuse, while the No Adversarial AI Act aims to block foreign AI models from U.S. agencies [1]. These measures reflect a growing consensus that AI governance must extend beyond corporate responsibility to include enforceable legal frameworks.
Reputational Fallout and Legal Precedents
Meta’s reputational risks have been compounded by high-profile lawsuits. A Florida case involving a 14-year-old’s suicide linked to a Character.AI bot survived a First Amendment dismissal attempt, setting a dangerous precedent for liability [2]. Critics argue that AI chatbots failing to disclose their non-human nature or providing false medical advice erode public trust [4]. Consumer advocacy groups and digital rights organizations have amplified these concerns, pressuring companies to adopt ethical AI frameworks [3].
Meanwhile, Microsoft and Google have faced their own challenges. A bipartisan coalition of U.S. attorneys general has warned tech giants to address AI risks to children, with Meta’s alleged failures drawing particular criticism [1]. Google’s decision to shift data-labeling work away from Scale AI—after Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in the firm—highlights the competitive and regulatory tensions reshaping the industry [2]. Microsoft and OpenAI are also reevaluating their ties to Scale AI, underscoring the fragility of partnerships in a climate of mistrust [4].
Financial Implications: Capital Expenditures and Stock Volatility
Meta’s aggressive AI strategy has come at a cost. The company’s projected 2025 AI infrastructure spending ($66–72 billion) far exceeds Microsoft’s $80 billion capex for data centers, yet Meta’s stock has shown greater volatility, dropping -2.1% amid regulatory pressures [2]. Antitrust lawsuits threatening to force the divestiture of Instagram or WhatsApp add further uncertainty [5]. In contrast, Microsoft’s stock has demonstrated stability, with a lower average post-earnings drawdown of 8% compared to Meta’s 12% [2]. Microsoft’s focus on enterprise AI and Azure’s record $75 billion annual revenue has insulated it from some of the reputational turbulence facing Meta [1].
Despite Meta’s 78% earnings forecast hit rate (vs. Microsoft’s 69%), its high-risk, high-reward approach raises questions about long-term sustainability. For instance, Meta’s Reality Labs segment, which includes AI-driven projects, has driven 38% year-over-year EPS growth but also contributed to reorganizations and attrition [6]. Investors must weigh these factors against Microsoft’s diversified business model and strategic investments, such as its $13 billion stake in OpenAI [3].
Investment Implications: Balancing Innovation and Compliance
The AI industry’s future hinges on companies’ ability to align innovation with ethical and legal standards. For Meta, the path forward requires addressing Senate inquiries, mitigating reputational damage, and proving that its AI systems prioritize user safety over engagement metrics [4]. Competitors like Microsoft and Google may gain an edge by adopting transparent governance models and leveraging state-level regulatory trends to their advantage [1].
Conclusion
As AI ethics and legal risks dominate headlines, investors must scrutinize how companies navigate these challenges. Meta’s struggles highlight the perils of prioritizing growth over governance, while Microsoft’s stability underscores the value of a measured, enterprise-focused approach. For now, the AI landscape remains a high-stakes game of regulatory chess, where the winners will be those who balance innovation with accountability.
Source:
[1] Meta Platforms Inc.’s AI Policies Under Investigation and [https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/54731/2025-08-22-meta-platforms-incs-ai-policies-under-investigation-and]
[2] The AI Therapy Bubble: How Regulation and Reputational [https://www.ainvest.com/news/ai-therapy-bubble-regulation-reputational-risks-reshaping-mental-health-tech-market-2508/]
[3] Breaking down generative AI risks and mitigation options [https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/breaking-down-generative-ai-risks-mitigation-options]
[4] Experts React to Reuters Reports on Meta’s AI Chatbot [https://techpolicy.press/experts-react-to-reuters-reports-on-metas-ai-chatbot-policies]
[5] AI Compliance: Meaning, Regulations, Challenges [https://www.scrut.io/post/ai-compliance]
[6] Meta’s AI Ambitions: Talent Volatility and Strategic Reorganization—A Double-Edged Sword for Investors [https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-ai-ambitions-talent-volatility-strategic-reorganization-double-edged-sword-investors-2508/]
7 Life-Changing Books Recommended by Catriona Wallace (Picture Credit – Instagram)
Some books ignite something immediate. Others change you quietly, over time. For Dr Catriona Wallace—tech entrepreneur, AI ethics advocate, and one of Australia’s most influential business leaders, books are more than just ideas on paper. They are frameworks, provocations, and spiritual companions. Her reading list offers not just guidance for navigating leadership and technology, but for embracing identity, power, and inner purpose. These seven titles reflect a mind shaped by disruption, ethics, feminism, and wisdom. They are not trend-driven. They are transformational.
1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
A landmark in feminist career literature, Lean In challenges women to pursue their ambitions while confronting the structural and cultural forces that hold them back. Sandberg uses her own journey at Facebook and Google to dissect gender inequality in leadership. The book is part memoir, part manifesto, and remains divisive for valid reasons. But Wallace cites it as essential for starting difficult conversations about workplace dynamics and ambition. It asks, simply: what would you do if you weren’t afraid?
2. Women and Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard
In this sharp, incisive book, classicist Mary Beard examines the historical exclusion of women from power and public voice. From Medusa to misogynistic memes, Beard exposes how narratives built around silence and suppression persist today. The writing is fiery, brief, and packed with centuries of insight. Wallace recommends it for its ability to distil complex ideas into cultural clarity. It’s a reminder that power is not just a seat at the table; it is a script we are still rewriting.
3. The World of Numbers by Adam Spencer
A celebration of mathematics as storytelling, this book blends fun facts, puzzles, and history to reveal how numbers shape everything from music to human behaviour. Spencer, a comedian and maths lover, makes the subject inviting rather than intimidating. Wallace credits this book with sparking new curiosity about logic, data, and systems thinking. It’s not just for mathematicians. It’s for anyone ready to appreciate the beauty of patterns and the thinking habits that come with them.
4. Small Giants by Bo Burlingham
This book is a love letter to companies that chose to be great instead of big. Burlingham profiles fourteen businesses that opted for soul, purpose, and community over rapid growth. For Wallace, who has founded multiple mission-driven companies, this book affirms that success is not about scale. It is about integrity. Each story is a blueprint for building something meaningful, resilient, and values-aligned. It is a must-read for anyone tired of hustle culture and hungry for depth.
5. The Misogynist Factory by Alison Phipps
A searing academic work on the production of misogyny in modern institutions. Phipps connects the dots between sexual violence, neoliberalism, and resistance movements in a way that is as rigorous as it is radical. Wallace recommends this book for its clear-eyed confrontation of how systemic inequality persists beneath performative gestures. It equips readers with language to understand how power moves, morphs, and resists change. This is not light reading. It is a necessary reading for anyone seeking to challenge structural harm.
6. Tribes by Seth Godin
Godin’s central idea is simple but powerful: people don’t follow brands, they follow leaders who connect with them emotionally and intellectually. This book blends marketing, leadership, and human psychology to show how movements begin. Wallace highlights ‘Tribes’ as essential reading for purpose-driven founders and changemakers. It reminds readers that real influence is built on trust and shared values. Whether you’re leading a company or a cause, it’s a call to speak boldly and build your own tribe.
7. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
Equal parts spiritual guide and philosophical reflection, this book weaves Tibetan Buddhist teachings with Western perspectives on mortality, grief, and rebirth. Wallace turns to it not only for personal growth but also for grounding ethical decision-making in a deeper sense of purpose. It’s a book that speaks to those navigating endings—personal, spiritual, or professional and offers a path toward clarity and compassion. It does not offer answers. It offers presence, which is often far more powerful.
The books that shape us are often those that disrupt us first. Catriona Wallace’s list is not filled with comfort reads. It’s made of hard questions, structural truths, and radical shifts in thinking. From feminist manifestos to Buddhist reflections, from purpose-led business to systemic critique, this bookshelf is a mirror of her own leadership—decisive, curious, and grounded in values. If you’re building something bold or seeking language for change, there’s a good chance one of these books will meet you where you are and carry you further than you expected.
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