Madras High Court upholds night ban on online gambling games in Tamil Nadu
The Madras High Court has dismissed petitions filed by online real money gaming platforms seeking leniency in Tamil Nadu government’s recent regulations including a night ban and compulsor Aadhar-based KYC registration.
The court held that such games are subject to strict regulation as it has serious social repercussions.
A division bench comprising justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar passed the orders in response to petitions pleading that the legislations — section 5 r/w 14 of TN Prohibition of Online Gaming and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 along with TN Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025 — be declared ultra vires.
“This Court is of the view that any online game or online entertainment is subject to regulation when it affects the public health of people at large. The focal test is that the ill-effects of such online activity must be directly linked to public health and must result in serious social repercussions if left unregulated. Any such online entertainment/game/trade then shall be subjected to regulation,” the bench said.
It remarked that the state cannot remain a mute spectator when the population at large is exposed to serious physical, mental and financial risks due to constant exposure to a specific online entertainment/ games/ trade.