The argument related to rummy and poker being games of skill and not games of chance can at best be raised by players and not the online gaming companies whose only intention is to make money through inducements and consequent addiction, the State government argued before the Madras High Court on Monday.
Defending the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 before Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu, Senior Counsel Kapil Sibal said not a single player had approached the court and that the law had been challenged only by gaming companies.
“See how insidious it is. If a person pays ₹5,000 for playing online games, the companies give back a bonus of ₹5,250. If a player refers a friend, then he gets another ₹5,000. Even while playing the game, special bonuses are offered. What is this for? It is to induce you and to get you addicted,” the counsel said.
