SC asks Centre for comprehensive response on pleas challenging online gaming law

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to file a comprehensive reply on petitions challenging an online gaming law which prohibits online money games and bars banking services and advertising related to themA bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan was informed that the Centre has filed its reply on the interim prayer made in the pleasWe want the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Union to file a comprehensive reply to the main petition itself the bench saidIt said copy of the reply be served in advance to the advocates appearing for the petitioners and if they want to file any rejoinder they may do so at the earliestThe bench posted the matter for hearing on November 26The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 is the first central legislation banning realmoney online gaming including fantasy sports and esports played for stakes and has faced challenges before the Delhi Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh high courtsSenior advocate C A Sundaram appearing in the matter told the bench that the business was completely shut for over a monthDuring the hearing one of the advocates told the bench that a fresh writ petition was filed in the matter but it was not listed for hearingI petitioner am a chess player and its a source of livelihood I was also about to launch an app the lawyer saidIndia is a strange country You are a player You want to play Its your only source of income and therefore you want to join the proceedings Justice Pardiwala observedThe counsel said the petitioner participates in online tournaments organised by the companies and he pays a participation fee alsoThe bench said his plea be also tagged with the pending petitionsThe top court was hearing a batch of transferred petitions challenging the online gaming lawThe bench said a separate petition which has sought directions to the government to prohibit online gambling and betting platforms that allegedly operate under the guise of social and esports games would also be heard on November 26The top court on Monday had sought response of the Centre on the plea filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change CASC and Shourya TiwariThe petitioners argue that the Act imposes a blanket ban even on judicially recognised skillbased games violating Article 191g of the Constitution which guarantees the right to practice any profession or carry on lawful tradeThe Karnataka High Court had recently issued notice in another related petitionOn September 8 the top court had allowed a plea by the Centre to transfer the petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 from three high courts to the apex court to avoid conflicting verdictsIt had transferred the petitions pending before the Delhi Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh high courts to the apex courtThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY filed the plea for transfer of three pending cases from the high courts to the apex courtDue to multiple litigations pending before various high courts involving same or substantially similar question of law and challenging the vires of the same impugned Act it is imperative that the same is transferred to this court or any high court to avoid any divergence of opinions or multiplicity of proceedings the plea saidIt said after the law got the Presidents assent multiple petitions were filed in the high courts challenging the validity of the ActThe law prohibited offering or playing online money games regardless of whether they are games of skill or chance and categorised violations as cognisable and nonbailable offencesThe bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20It was passed within two days by voice vote in both Houses of Parliament and received presidential assent on August 22This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever