E-Gaming Federation announces to challenge Tamil Nadu regulation to ban online gaming

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E-gaming Federation will challenge a regulation issued by the Tamil Nadu government to ban online gaming as it categorizes rummy and poker as games of chance, the industry association said on Wednesday.

E-gaming Federation (EGF), whose members include Games24x7, MPL and Junglee Games, cited a Supreme Court ruling that, according to the industry association, has labeled rummy as a game of skill.

“Bringing rummy under the scope of a game of chance is in direct violation of the Supreme Court judgments and Madras High Court judgment which overturned the law banning online games, including rummy and poker,” EGF said in a statement.

Tamil Nadu had issued an ordinance to ban online gambling and regulate online games in the state and said that an online gambling authority will be established to exercise the powers conferred by this ordinance.

Among other things, the authority will regulate online games, issue registration certificates to local online game providers in addition to identifying online games of chance – rummy and poker – and oversee the operation of online game providers in the state.

“After reviewing the regulation, we have decided to file a lawsuit because it categorizes rummy and poker as games of chance. This is in violation of multiple legal court rulings, including the recent ruling of the Madras High Court, which clearly separated games of skill and opportunity.

“The Supreme Court and several high courts have reaffirmed the status of skill-based games as a legitimate business activity and the state should take note of these rulings as it develops potential gaming policies that protect players rather than resort to prohibition said EGF CEO Sameer Barde. said in the statement.

EGF said the need of the hour is a comprehensive online gaming policy that protects players and ensures that only legitimate online skill gaming operators offer their services, while removing those who break the law.

The industry body said the Indian gaming market is expected to grow from the current $2.2 billion (nearly Rs. 18,300 crore) to $5 billion (nearly Rs. 41,500 crore) in revenue by 2025.