Advocate AP Suryaprakasam has moved a PIL in the Madras High Court and has called for criminal action against celebrities promoting online gambling websites. The petition names celebrities like cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Tamannah. The plea is registered to take critical note that no law is in place to regulate online gaming and gambling.
Arguments Raised in the nature of Online Gambling
The petitioner puts forth that by promising people initial wins, unethical and immoral online gambling is being promoted. the petitioner further expresses that the services of celebrities such as Kohli and actresses such as Tamannah are engaged to attract innocent youngsters.
Argument has been quoted by the petitioner that such celebrities brainwash youngsters to fall into the trap of gambling.
Contentions raised in the issue of online gambling Games
Contentions were raised by the petitioner that in such a scenario “the victim not only spends his money but also spends their family members’ money and put them in financial burden while in the case of blue whale, the victim alone suffers” and that the addiction to such online gambling sites are more dangerous than the blue whale game.
The High Court has sort following directions:
- To close all online gambling sites;
- To arrest and prosecute persons running online gambling websites and celebrities endorsing the same for promoting gambling, for getting youngsters hooked on to such illegal gambling and for abetting suicide.
Recently, the Madras High Court through the Madurai Bench questioned to consider bringing in a law to regulate online gaming. As it was observed that there is no corresponding law for online gambling, while real-world gambling has been prohibited.
Observations were made by Justice B Pugalendhi :
“Not only in the State of Tamil Nadu, but also in the entire Country, such online games, viz., RummyPassion, Nazara, LeoVegas, Spartan Poker, Ace2Three, PokerDangal, Pocket52, My11Circle, Genesis Casino, etc., are mushrooming.”
“This Court is not against the virtual games, but, the anguish of this Court is that there should be a regulatory body to monitor and regulate the legal gaming activities, be it in the real world or the virtual world.”
