(This article is authored by Alar)

The Tamil Nadu government has put an end to the 'Online' Gambling Prohibition Act which was published in the Tamil Nadu Gazette and came into effect.  The law prohibits playing or facilitating any game of chance on the internet, including online rummy and poker with stakes. Anyone found violating the law will face imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or both.

The law also empowers the police to seize any device or equipment used for online gambling. According to this Act, online gambling games, as well as all other online games with a chance to win money or other rewards, are prohibited.  The promotion of illegal online gambling and games is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of five lakh rupees, or both.

Practitioners of all online games where it is possible to gamble or win money and prizes are subject to a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a fine of Rs 10 lakh, or both. If the company is convicted of the same offense a second time, it will be subject to a maximum five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to Rs. 10 lakh. 

On October 19, 2016, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a bill to ban online gambling in Tamil Nadu in an effort to curb the deadly nature of online gambling. On March 6, 2023, after 131 days, the Bill was returned by the Governor.

In his explanation for this, the Governor stated, "The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly does not have the authority to pass a law prohibiting online gambling." Tamil Nadu's political party leaders were profoundly bewildered. M.K. Stalin subsequently reintroduced the bill to prohibit online gambling in Tamil Nadu when the assembly session resumed on the 23rd, and  resent this bill to the Governor for his approval on the following day.

Monday morning, however, the chief minister MK Stalin introduced a resolution against the governor in the Legislative Assembly. A few hours later, Chief Minister M K Stalin announced in the House that the Governor's approval of the anti-online gambling bill was a favorable result of the Assembly's vote.