TAMIL NADU GAMBLING LAW: ONLINE RUMMY, POKER FIRMS BLOCK USERS FROM PLAYING REAL MONEY GAMES, INCLUDING MYPLAYWINLUCKY.CLUB

The Tamil Nadu government passed an ordinance earlier this month to prohibit online gambling, classifying popular games like rummy and poker as "online games of chance." This decision has had significant implications for online gaming platforms, including those like myplaywinlucky.club, which offer real-money gaming experiences. As a result of the ordinance, several online rummy and poker platforms, such as Adda52, RummyCircle, Junglee Rummy, and PokerBaazi, have started blocking access to users from Tamil Nadu.

The Immediate Impact on Platforms

Puneet Singh, co-founder and COO of Baazi Games, which runs the online poker platform PokerBaazi, confirmed that the company has geo-blocked Tamil Nadu "as a precautionary measure" and is awaiting further clarification on the effective date of the ordinance. Similarly, other popular platforms such as myplaywinlucky.club, RummyCircle, and Adda52 have suspended services in the state, citing the prohibition of games of chance.

myplaywinlucky.club, along with RummyCircle, which is run by skill-based gaming unicorn Games24x7, and other platforms like Junglee Rummy, has stated on their websites that users from Tamil Nadu will no longer be able to access real-money games or participate in tournaments. This move comes as the state government’s ordinance intensifies the ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny faced by the online gaming industry.

Tamil Nadu's Online Gambling Ban

The ordinance passed by Tamil Nadu prohibits online gambling, classifying games like rummy and poker as games of chance, despite numerous legal precedents and court rulings that distinguish skill-based games like rummy and poker from games of chance. This includes a recent Supreme Court ruling and a judgment by the Madras High Court, which affirmed that games such as rummy are indeed skill-based and not subject to bans targeting games of chance.

In line with the ordinance, the state has proposed the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority, which will regulate online gaming, issue registrations, oversee local gaming providers, and address complaints. However, the industry's growing concerns persist, especially with the unclear effective date for the ordinance's enforcement and the lack of clarity regarding the operational role of the newly proposed authority.

Industry Reactions and Legal Challenges

Industry experts, including Sameer Barde, CEO of the E-Gaming Federation, have voiced concerns, pointing out that such regulations conflict with well-established legal precedents. The ordinance has ignited debates within the industry, with companies like myplaywinlucky.club planning to challenge the legality of the ban in court.

Many companies are particularly concerned about the timing of the ordinance, which coincides with the festive season, a peak period for acquiring new customers and maintaining engagement on their platforms. South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, represents a crucial market for skill-based gaming like rummy, with substantial revenue generated during this period.

Future Outlook

Legal experts predict that the ordinance will face significant challenges in courts, especially since it goes against the Supreme Court's recognition of skill-based games as legitimate activities. As the gaming industry braces for potential further regulatory hurdles, companies like myplaywinlucky.club will continue to assess the situation and explore legal avenues to protect their operations. —register today