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2020 (7) TMI 739 - HC - Indian LawsPlaying Cards - legal or not - case of the prosecution is that the complainant, on his rounds along with two other Constables on 05.06.2020, around 06.30 pm, near Kaduthula Junction, found the petitioner and four others playing cards near a thorny bush and therefore, he arrested the accused, recovered the cards and money and registered the case for the offence under Section 12 of the Act - HELD THAT:- Though the issue in the present case on hand is pertaining to playing of cards in a private place, since in the status report filed by the Assistant Inspector General of Police on behalf of the Director General of Police, it has been stated that at present, there is no rule to regulate and license such online skill games, based on a query posed by this Court while admitting this petition, this Court is inclined to discuss the issue in detail - The gaming industry in India is undergoing a dramatic transition, not only in terms of its audience, but also in terms of the modes of participation and engagement. Gambling Laws in India prohibit betting or wagering and any act which is intended to aid or facilitate the same. For the purpose of regulating gaming in India, most of the Indian legislations differentiate between “games of skill” and “games of chance”. Gaming / Gambling, being a State Subject, India has laws which differ from State to State. Therefore, what is permitted in one State, may be an offence in another. When the menace of lottery was at its peak, sucking the blood and life of several families, the Government of Tamil Nadu, in the year 2003, has taken a rigid stand, with an iron hand and banned the sale of all lotteries, including online, within the territory of the State, by passing the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.20 Home (Courts II) Department dated 08.01.2003. This Government Order, though challenged before the Courts of law, still holds the field. By virtue of this order, the Government has thus prevented the suicidal deaths, who have not only lost their hard earned money but also their family peace and reputation, in the State - Similarly, when the menace of charging exorbitant interest, by way of 'daily vatti', 'hourly vatti', 'kandhu vatti', 'meter vatti', 'vattiku vatti', was in its prime, the Government of Tamil Nadu, in the year 2003, has enacted Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003, thereby, wiped the tears of the affected people at large. This Court hopes and trusts that this Government shall take note of the present alarming situation and pass suitable legislation, thereby, regulating and controlling such online gaming through license, of course, keeping in mind the law of the land as well as the judicial precedents in this regard. This Court is not against the virtual games, but, the anguish of this Court is that there should be a regulatory body to monitor and regulate the legal gaming activities, be it in the real world or the virtual world. Needless to say that if the Government intends to pass a legislation in this regard, all the stakeholders should be put in notice and their views should be ascertained - Since this Court is exercising power under Section 482 Cr.P.C., with the above suggestions, this Court refrains from observing any further, leaving it to the Government. Criminal Original Petition is allowed.
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