The leader of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Anbumani Ramadoss is questioning Tamil Nadu (TN) Governor R.N. Ravi for delaying his assent for the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 after promulgating the ordinance.

During an interview with journalists in Madurai, he said that the Governor is neither giving his assent nor disclosing the rationale for not doing so.

The MP stated that ten people had died in the previous two months after the bill was passed by the Assembly and not assented to by the Governor. Ramadoss also claimed that 100 people have died as a result of online gaming addiction in the state so far.

“In a way, the Governor not acting on the bill is also a reason for these 10 deaths. At least he should return the bill,” said Ramadoss as quoted by The Hindu.

According to Ramadoss, the TN government should step in, in this matter and not just blame the Governor. He also argued that the government may still enforce the prohibition by utilizing Article 162 of the Constitution.

Ramadoss has been vocal about banning online gaming in the state and has been supporting the ordinance. He has urged the Governor a number of times to give his assent for the bill.

He has also cited several suicide cases related to online gaming and said that despite the government’s strong penalties for any type of offline gambling, action must be taken against online gambling as well.

Earlier in December, Ramadoss urged the Chief Minister of TN MK Stalin to ask the Governor to give his assent. During that time too, he claimed that six people had taken their lives in only 16 days of the ordinance expiring.

He had said, “It is painful that the governor ignores the suicides without realizing it! The government should not think that the online gambling prohibition law has been passed and sent to the governor and the duty is done. Efforts to get the Governor’s approval should be intensified.”