Amid growing fears over the prospects of addiction to technology among children, especially to online gaming and gambling, Bengaluru-based Advocates’ Association has requested the government of Karnataka to ban apps posing a ‘threat to children’s health’.
Association President S. Umesh announced it will take the legal course if the government doesn’t take cognizance and act immediately.
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“Online gaming apps have become a bigger menace than single-digit lottery, which had destroyed many households and even led to suicides in Karnataka some years ago”, said Mr Umesh in the petition directed to the government.
According to the association, despite the fact that some gaming companies try to make a distinction between ‘game of skill’, which is legal and ‘game of chance’, which is illegal, reality is that most games promote betting and children are falling for the trap.
“We demand an immediate ban on all online gaming apps, on the lines of Tamil Nadu and other States, in Karnataka. While lakhs of people are getting addicted to these games, the bigger danger is of children, who are now pursuing studies online, being lured into betting and gambling,” Mr. Umesh said.
They also alleged that there is no transparency of the internal financial transactions of the companies, raising questions on the integrity of the gaming companies. Complaints of gambling and suicides have previously led to prohibitions and bans on all forms of online games which involve payment in the southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
