Kerala HC directs govt to take decision on bringing online gambling under Kerala Gaming Act
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The Kerala High Court on February 10 directed the Kerala Government to take an appropriate decision on the aspect of inclusion of online gambling and online betting within the purview of the Kerala Gaming Act, 1960 within a period of two weeks.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly was informed by the Government Pleader that the State Police Chief has submitted a proposal to bring online betting under the Kerala Gaming Act and that the Government was considering the same.
The Court was considering a Public Interest Litigation filed by film director Pauly Vadakkan seeking action against webportals promoting online rummy and similar gambling activities.
The petitioner had complained to the high court that several people have lost their lives in the country after losing huge amounts of money by playing the online game and that it should be banned. The petition alleged that brand ambassadors play a significant role in getting youth addicted.
Meanwhile, "Play Games 24*7 Private Ltd" and "Mobile Premier League(MPL)"- two companies running online betting portals- were also made respondents in the petition.
Earlier, the Court had issued notice to Indian Cricket captain Virat Kohli, actors Tamanna Bhatia and Aju Varghese, who were brand ambassadors for online rummy portals.