The Government yesterday said only two suicides between 2018 to 2020 are attributed to online rummy addiction as per the records with National Crime Records Bureau (NRCB). The victims are from Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The information was revealed by MoS MEITY Rajeev Chandrasekhar in response to a query by Rajya Sabha member K Ravindra Kumar.

The minister reiterated that all forms of gambling and betting come under the purview of State Governments and they have enacted their laws to deal with the same within their jurisdictions.

The numbers appear to be under reported as the suicides linked to rummy are significantly higher in Tamil Nadu alone. Tamil Nadu has seen an increase in online gambling related suicides ever since the Madras High Court quashed the law banning online games as unconstitutional.

It is worth noting that in April, the Parliament was informed that the NCRB records indicate 7 suicides attributed to online gaming addiction between 2017-20.

Responding to another query in Rajya Sabha, the minister said his department has received grievances against offshore betting/gambling websites being accessible in India.

In a related development, Rajeev Chandrasekhar recently said his ministry has been interacting with the online gaming platforms and other stakeholders to evolve possible roadmap of regulation so as to promote ease of doing business and to provide suitable eco-system for the indigenous platforms.

Few days back, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the minister said off shore gambling and betting websites are illegal in India.