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The Madras High Court on Thursday refused to strike down the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 in its entirety, but ruled that the prohibition would apply only to games of chance, and not to games of skill such as rummy and poker.
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022
TNPOG&ROOG Act, 2022 is a state law that prohibits online gambling and regulates online games of skill.
The Act came into effect on April 21, 2022.
Key provisions
The Act prohibits all forms of online gambling, including games of chance such as casinos, slots, and roulette.
The Act regulates online games of skill, such as rummy and poker, by requiring online game providers to obtain a license from the Tamil Nadu Gaming Authority.
The Act also imposes restrictions on online games of skill, such as age restrictions, time limits, and monetary limits.
The Act provides for penalties for violating its provisions, including imprisonment for up to three months and/or a fine of up to Rs. 5,000.
The Court has held that the Act cannot be applied to games of skill, such as rummy and poker.
The Court has also observed that the government can regulate games of skill by restricting the time spent playing the game, setting age-limits, etc., but it cannot totally ban games of skill.
Excluded Games
Games of skill, such as rummy and poker
Lottery
Betting on horse racing
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