Can’t offer blanket protection for online gaming operators during pendency of petitions: Govt.
The Hindu
Court to continue to hear arguments on pleas to stay new law banning online gaming involving wagering or betting
The State Government on October 27 told the High Court of Karnataka that it was not possible to give an undertaking that no precipitative action would be initiated on online gaming operators till the court adjudicates the petitions challenging the recently enacted Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, which prohibits and criminalises the playing of online games, including games of skill, by risking money or otherwise.
The State cannot offer a blanket protection from initiation of criminal proceedings under the new law on online gaming operators as there exist games of chance as well, and there are contentious issues over online version of games of skills compared to their physical format, State Advocate-General Prabhuling K. Navadgi told the court.