The Tamil Nadu Government has launched the ‘Online’ Gambling Prohibition Act, which has been published in the Tamil Nadu Gazette and is now in effect. The act states that playing online gambling games, which involve the chance of winning money or other rewards, is now prohibited. If one is caught violating this act, they could face imprisonment for up to three months or pay a fine of Rs 5,000 or both. Advertising of these games is also prohibited, and those who violate this could face imprisonment for up to one year, pay a fine of Rs.5 lakhs or both. Providers of these games could face imprisonment for up to three years or pay a fine of Rs.10 lakhs or both. If a company is convicted again after already violating this act, they could face imprisonment for up to five years and pay a fine of up to Rs.20 lakhs. A Tamil Nadu Online Sports Authority must be established to implement the act under the leadership of a retired chief secretary. The team should also include a retired IG, a police officer, an IT specialist, a mental health consultant, and an expert in online gaming platforms.
According to this Act, online gambling games, all online games where there is a chance of winning money or other rewards, are prohibited. Any person who violates this shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or a fine of Rs 5,000 or both
Advertisement of prohibited online gambling and games shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with a fine of Rs.5 lakhs or with both.
Providers of all online games, where gambling or the possibility of winning cash and prizes, shall be liable to imprisonment for a maximum period of three years or a fine of Rs.10 lakhs or both.
If convicted once and commits the same offense again, the company will be liable to imprisonment for a maximum period of five years and fine up to Rs.20 lakhs for the second time.
To implement this, a Tamil Nadu Online Sports Authority should be set up under the leadership of a retired chief secretary
According to the law, members should include a retired IG, a police officer of not less rank, an IT specialist, a mental health consultant, and a person with expertise in online gaming platforms.