The Raj Bhavan in Chennai has returned a Bill banning online Rummy to the Tamil Nadu Assembly for its reconsideration, official sources said here on Wednesday.
The Bill was returned on grounds of 'consideration once again' in the wake of certain aspects that have been outlined by Raj Bhavan, official sources told PTI.
On 1 October 2022, an ordinance (prohibiting online gambling, wager-based online games of chance of Rummy and Poker) was promulgated by Governor Ravi, and a gazette notification was made by the government on the third of October. The Tamil Nadu Assembly met on October 17 last year for a brief session when the Bill was passed.
The adoption of the Bill was necessitated after the Madras High Court, on August 3, 2021 struck down the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act 2021 which banned wagers or placing bets in cyberspace.
Such provisions were held by the High Court as ultra vires the Constitution. The court had said that appropriate legislation may be passed by the government conforming to the Constitutional sense of propriety in the field of betting and gambling.
The bill was sent to Raj Bhavan for Governor's assent after its passing, and the government has been repeatedly urging Governor RN Ravi to clear it.
(With PTI inputs)
