A group of online gaming companies has moved the Madras High Court, challenging Tamil Nadu’s new gaming regulations that mandate Aadhaar-based KYC verification and enforce a midnight-to-dawn gaming ban (12 AM – 5 AM) for real money games.
The bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar has issued notices to the State and Union Governments, seeking a response within two weeks, but has not granted any interim relief.
Gaming Industry Calls Regulations Arbitrary and Unconstitutional
The petition challenges Section 5(2) and Section 14(1)(c) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, along with Regulation 4(iii) and 4(viii) of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025.
Key Contentions of Gaming Companies:
🔹 State Cannot Override Central IT Laws: Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that online gaming regulations fall under the IT Act, a central law, making Tamil Nadu’s gaming restrictions legally invalid.
🔹 Skill-Based Games Cannot Be Restricted: Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya emphasized that rummy is a game of skill, and restricting it violates Article 19(1)(g) (right to trade and profession).
🔹 Right to Privacy Violated: The mandatory Aadhaar-linked KYC verification was challenged as unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Court’s KS Puttaswamy judgment on privacy rights.
🔹 Gaming Ban Discriminatory: Senior Advocate Raghavachari questioned why offline gambling at clubs is allowed round-the-clock while online rummy is restricted.
State Defends Gaming Restrictions
Tamil Nadu’s Advocate General PS Raman argued that the ‘blank hour’ restriction is backed by expert studies, which found that youth gaming addiction peaks between 12 AM and 5 AM.
What’s Next?
The case is set for further hearing in two weeks, and the verdict could reshape online gaming laws in India, influencing state vs. central regulation, privacy concerns, and the legality of real money gaming restrictions.
Case Title: Play Games 24×7 Private Limited and Another v. State of Tamil Nadu (Batch cases)
Case No: WP 6784 of 2025
