The Karnataka High Court announced on Friday that it will hear a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021, which prohibits all online gambling and betting and imposes a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh for violating the provisions.
Why and Which Category of Games got Banned?
The Karnataka Assembly enacted the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, which prohibits internet gambling or betting in the state and carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of Rs one lakh. The bill outlaws online games that involve any type of wagering or betting, including tokens that are valued in terms of money paid before or after they are issued. It outlawed the use of electronic means and virtual currency, as well as electronic financial transfers in conjunction with any game of chance.’
Who Filed the Case against this Law?
The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the Mobile Premier League (MPL) contested the new Karnataka legislation that prohibits any form of online gaming, which has caused concern among businesses in India’s IT hub. The AIGF also claimed in its petition that the state government is using uncertainty and morality to exercise social control.
What did Court say?
On October 27, the Karnataka High Court will hear a group of petitions filed by the All India Gaming Federation and individual online gaming operators challenging the legality of several provisions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, which prohibits and criminalizes the playing of skill games, including online games, for monetary gain or otherwise.
The interim request for a suspension of the new law’s operation will be reviewed on October 27 together with other petitions submitted by individual online gambling operators, according to Justice Krishna S. Dixit, who heard the case filed by the Federation, a not-for-profit society, on Friday.
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