Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi Gives Assent To Bill Banning Online Gambling Games

Online gambling banned in Tamil Nadu: "The gazette notification will be issued today (Monday)," CM Stalin said.

The Governor on Monday gave assent to the bill banning online gambling and regulating them.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday gave his assent to the bill banning online gambling games and regulating them. The Bill was passed by Tamil Nadu government for the second time on March 23, 2023. After the assent, the CM informed the Assembly that the Governor cleared Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill and a gazette notification is likely to follow.

According to ANI, Tamil Nadu assembly initially passed the Bill in October 2022.  However, the Governor returned the bill in March 2023. A senior official of the Raj Bhavan had then said that the bill was returned as the state legislature had no 'legislative competence' to frame the bill.

Following this, Tamil Nadu Assembly re-adopted the Bill on March 23, 2023 and once again sent it for Governor's assent. 

The Governor on Monday gave assent to the bill banning online gambling and regulating them.

After the Governor's assent, TN CM Stalin announced in the Assembly that a good outcome has come for the resolution passed in the Assembly with the Governor giving his assent for anti-online gambling Bill. 

"The gazette notification will be issued today," he said.

With the notification, the anti-online gambling legislation will come into force in Tamil Nadu. 

Details of the Bill

> Some of the specifications in the Bill include the prohibition of any form of advertisements promoting online gambling or playing online games with money or other stakes. 

> Those who violate the provision will have to face the punishment of imprisonment of up to a year or a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh or both. 

> Any person who provides online gambling service or games of poker and rummy with money or other stakes shall face punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh or both, said a report on PTI.

The Governor gave assent to the Bill on the same day as the state government passed a resolution in the state Assembly to make President and Central government issue appropriate instructions to fix a time frame for Governors to approve bills.