Tamilnadu Assembly passes Bill to ban online gambling once again

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday once again unanimously adopted the bill to ban online gambling, weeks after state Governor R N Ravi had returned it to the government for its reconsideration.

Piloting the bill, Chief Minister M K Stalin said he was moving it with a “heavy heart” while referring to the loss of lives. Many persons had allegedly died by suicide after losing money in online gambling.

Several members spoke on the bill expressing their support and opposing Governor Ravi for returning it.

Speaker M Appavu later declared the bill was adopted unanimously.

Meanwhile, the rift in the opposition AIADMK over the leadership issue reflected in the House when Leader of Opposition and K Palaniswami and other party MLAs objected to the Speaker allowing deposed leader O Panneerselvam to speak on the issue, leading to a din.

Appavu told the opposition legislators that he didn’t mention Panneerselvam as AIADMK member and allowed him to speak in the capacity of a former chief minister.

The Raj Bhavan had earlier this month returned the bill to the House for its ‘consideration once again’ in the wake of certain aspects outlined by it.