Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy on Thursday said that a bad law was passed by the former AIADMK government and that is the reason for Madras High Court quashing it.

Reiterating the need for legislation to impose a ban on online gambling, Regupathy expressed hope that the Supreme Court would come out with a good judgment on the appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the order of the Madras High Court quashing the ban on online gambling.

He was attending an event organized to celebrate the birthday of the 5 time Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi. Recently, the Karnataka government filed a similar appeal against the decision of the Karnataka High Court quashing a similar ban law.

The DMK government is under intense pressure from the opposition to enact an online rummy ban law. Earlier, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the assembly said his government fully understood the evils of online gambling, which had destroyed many low-income families, and announced that a special investigation team will be formed to investigate online gambling-related deaths. A Superintendent of Police from the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) would lead the SIT.

AIADMK coordinator O. Panneer Selvam (OPS) in a press release on June 3 said gambling is a drug and demanded the DMK government ban online rummy and other games. Referring to Chief Minister Stalin’s statements, OPS said so far no action is taken by the DMK government.

Tamil Nadu state industries minister Thangam Thennarasu on Monday said that the DMK government is determined to enact strong legislation for banning online rummy in the State.

Last Sunday, Tamil Nadu DGP C. Sylendra Babu has warned the public that playing online rummy could lead to debt and suicide. The top cop said the number of people losing money and jewelry due to online gaming has increased in the last few months.

PMK Chief Anbumani Ramadoss recently met Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to press for a ban on online rummy & discuss other issues. Governor Ravi expressed surprise over the online rummy issue and said he was not aware of the issue but will look into the matter for initiating appropriate action.