The Tamil Nadu government has received nearly 10,000 mails from public on the call to provide views on the proposed gaming ban law, reported Tamil Nadu based media houses.

The government had constituted a committee headed by retired Madras High Court judge K Chandru in June to analyse the impact caused by online gaming/gambling sites. After the committee submitted a report on June 27 in favour of a ban. Subsequently, there were complaints from online gaming companies and also the public that their views were not taken into account. Hence, a stakeholders’ meeting was called for and people were also asked to mail their suggestions. The last date for submissions was set to be August 12. A press release in this regard was addressed to parents, students, teachers, activists, and psychologists.

The State government has found that an overwhelming majority of public responses have called for banning virtual games due to the effect they have on families.

Sources said the government was considering imposing restrictions on how much time a player can spend on these sites per day or week.

“Out of the more than 10,000 emails sent by the public, including politicians, parents and teachers, more than 99 per cent are in favour of a blanket ban on online gaming and gambling sites. They believe these sites are a menace to the society, as they are taking away lives and pushing families under debt,” a senior official was quoted by DT Next.

“The government is planning to introduce restriction on timing, like allowing a person to play only for one hour per day or three hours a week, etc.,” said the official according to DT Next, adding that they would proceed carefully considering how many states including Tamil Nadu met with setbacks after courts quashed the legislations.

Meanwhile, the Esports Players Welfare Association (EPWA) has requested the Tamil Nadu government not to brand online skill-based gamers as ‘gamblers’ and sought safe harbour for online skill-gamers.