Source - Bar and Bench
Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit on Friday put forward an ordinance to "ban online gaming” due to spate of suicides in the state resulting due to playing online games.
A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan reads the proposal of the state government to amend the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930; the Chennai City Police Act, 1888; and the Tamil Nadu District Police Act, 1859 in order to protect youth from the evils of online gaming.
Proposal of amendment submitted by the state government includes -
Ban on wagering or betting in cyberspace using computers or any communication device or resource.
Persons found so gaming would be punishable with a fine of Rs 5,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Ban on the “electronic transfer of funds” used for wagering or betting, distributing the winnings, prize money.
People who keep a common gaming house would be punished with a fine amount of Rs.10,000 and imprisonment of 2 years.
Persons found running a company conducting online gaming by wagering and betting would be punished.
“The Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru Banwarilal Purohit, has promulgated the Ordinance to facilitate to ‘Ban Online Gaming’.”
The Madurai Bench of the Court is dealing with two PILs filed on similar issues, one to ban online games and another to seek action against celebrities endorsing online games.