Why has Tamil Nadu banned online games?

Recently, Tamil Nadu government banned online gaming in the state with a fine up to Rs 5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months. Governor Banwarilal Purohit promulgated an ordinance that banned online gaming in the state.

The ordinance has provisions for, “Banning the persons who are wagering or betting in cyberspace using computers or communication devices or resources.

“The people who are found gaming will be punished with a fine amount of Rs. 5,000/- and six months imprisonment.” The ordinance further goes on to ban “electronic transfer of funds” used for wagering or betting, distribute the winnings, prize money”

It means that players in the state will not be able to purchase any add-on for the games they play, go to gaming arcades or participate in online gaming tournaments.

The Governor said that due to online gaming, innocent people, mainly youngsters, are being cheated, and some people have committed suicide.

Also, that since these games are also played by kids of all ages, the lack of money to buy these add-on puts different kinds of peer pressure leading to unpleasant circumstances.

Apart from Tamil Nadu, its neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has already banned online gambling and some of the card games that can be played online. Karnataka is also mulling a new law to ban online games which involve gambling and betting