SV Gangapurwala, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and PD Audikesavalu questioned the State’s argument that online rummy is a game of chance. The questioning took place during the recent hearing with regard to the online gaming firm’s petition on Friday, August 18.
R Shunmugasundaram, the State’s Advocate General, made submissions in support of the law prohibiting online gaming in Tamil Nadu. He said that online rummy involves no skill and that it addicts youth. He mentioned suicides that occurred after people lost money playing online rummy. He also highlighted to the Madras High Court that only the companies make profits from the game.
Amit Anand Tiwari, Additional Advocate General (AAG), also made submissions on the subject. His suggested that the only way to mitigate the harm caused by online rummy is to outright ban it. He even went on to say that the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology by companies makes regulation unfeasible. He also highlighted international court rulings against online rummy.
However, senior attorney Satish Parasaran, who represents the petitioners, challenged the state’s submissions, according to The New Indian Express. He stated that the state’s arguments are intended to make the online gaming companies look bad with their arguments on the online rummy.
Parasaran was questioned about the firms’ business models and how they made money. He said that the company charges 10-15% for each game played and is not involved in any way with the game.
The counsel representing the gaming firms then requested more time to file their arguments against the state. On petitioners’ request, the HC adjourned the matter . The case will be listed on August 21.