Mr. Amit Nair had filed a petition in High Court of Gujarat seeking the ban on online gambling games such as Rummy.
The petitioner, who is also an advocate had contended that since Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act outlaws gambling, therefore, gambling done through virtual spaces such as laptops, computers, mobiles, websites etc. should also be banned.
Petitioner’s lawyer, Mr. Bhargav Hasurkar had contended that no law as of today especially regulates online gambling and the menace of gambling has increased by 21 percent during COVID-19.
The petitioner had limited his plea to banning of gambling done online and not all forms of online gaming.
The PIL also mentioned luring of customers through online advertisements and endorsements by star players and celebrities.
The petitioner asserted that Rummy if played with stakes becomes gambling and no longer remains a game of skill and hence it should be banned. The example of Andhra Pradesh state was also given, which has recently banned online gambling as well specifically by enacting legislation.
The High Court of Gujarat reserved the order on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.