PMK Chief & Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss praised Tamil Nadu govt for decision to ban online gaming for stakes. The former union minister said all points raised by him about addiction, online gaming not being skill-based and deaths due to suicide are covered in the Chandru Committee report. Reports indicate that the cabinet yesterday has given in-principle approval to ban online rummy and other games for stakes.

He stated that the decision has come due to the continuous struggle and protest of PMK and further asked the Governor to immediately approve the Ordinance sent by the cabinet to ban online gaming, reported Zee Tamil.

The Tamil Nadu cabinet on Monday discussed the report submitted by the Justice Chandru committee on banning online rummy.

The previous AIADMK government enacted the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act of 2021 banning online betting games like rummy and poker with stakes. However, entities offering such games approached the Madras High Court and got the enactment quashed. An appeal against the order is currently pending with the Supreme Court.

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The State government had, on June 10, said an Ordinance would be promulgated based on the recommendations of the committee considering the need for finding an urgent solution to this social issue. Political parties across party lines are demanding a ban on online rummy. While news headlines limit it to only rummy, the ban similar to earlier law is expected to cover all games for stakes.