An ordinance to “ban online gaming” involving betting, has been promulgated by the Tamil Nadu government in the backdrop of suicides by gamers who allegedly lost money, and any violation would attract both fine and imprisonment, ranging up to two years.The ordinance was promulgated by Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday based on a proposal from the state government, days after Chief Minister K Palaniswami promised action in this connection.
Incidentally, Andhra Pradesh had recently banned online gaming, besides betting and gambling, while neighboring Union Territory Puducherry wrote to the Centre seeking a similar action on such activities following the alleged suicide of a man who lost money in it.The ordinance promulgated by Purohit provides for provisions including “banning the persons who are wagering or betting in cyberspace using computers or any communication device or resource,” a Raj Bhavan release here said.
Palaniswami had recently said the government was taking steps to ban online games following demands from several quarters and complaints about suicides of people who lost money in such activities in the state.The Madras High Court Madurai Bench is also hearing a case against online gaming.
Three people had allegedly died of suicide in Coimbatore this month due to heavy financial loss in the online rummy game.
