Legal & Regulatory
Ordinance to ban online gaming passed by Telangana cabinet
An ordinance to ban online gaming and insert a new definition of cyber gaming in the Telangana Gaming Act, 1974 has been passed by the state cabinet as per media reports.
“Soon after the formation of Telangana, the CM had ordered police to crack down on clubs and other places which encourage gambling. But the government received complaints that people are now indulging in online gambling. We want to eliminate gambling in all forms. So the Gaming Act would be amended, banning online gambling. The cyber police will track online gambling and act against violators,” Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said in a press statement after the cabinet meeting.
Srihari said that the new ordinance will target all kinds of online card games including online rummy and penalise both those playing online games and those promoting such games within the state of Telangana.
The ordinance has now been sent to Governor ESL Narasimhan for his approval after which it shall be published in the official gazette. Full details of the implications of the ordinance on online rummy, poker and other skill games will be clear after the ordinance is published. However, from media reports, it now appears that the future of online rummy looks uncertain and a prolonged legal battle to challenge the ordinance seems to be the only plausible road ahead.
Glaws was one of the first websites to report about the possibility of an ordinance to ban online gaming, including rummy and poker.
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JJ
June 20, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Telangana needs to take note of what the rest of the World is doing regarding the Casino Gaming Industry which is one of the fastest growing Industries on our planet. It creates Jobs, Enhances Hotel build + design, increases tourism and pays healthy revenues / taxes to it’s respective governments.
If history has taught us anything then we know that banning this form of leisure ( yes it is part of the leisure industry) will force it underground and the only people who will benefit from it will be the criminal fraternity . It is really someone with no foresight who would consider such action .
Gambling is very much a part of our lives whether some of us like it or not and it should not be feared or embraced , It should be dealt with in an intelligent manner so that it is regulated and controlled and so that the young and vulnerable are protected , This is why we have traffic lights because cars driving at speed are dangerous !!!
chandan
June 22, 2017 at 3:15 pm
it is not fair to ban the rummy the supreme court has given it is a skill game and telangana govt is going against the orders they doesnt have any rights against this
dinesh
June 24, 2017 at 12:20 am
very very good dessision ,thanks telangana governament
jai kcr
raees
June 24, 2017 at 10:30 pm
its totally wrong to ban online rummy in T.S. its depends on the persons who wish to play online rummy or not. just leave it on them and there is should be no banning on online rummy because its an individual wish whether he/she will play or not and one more thing players are not minors. they are all about 18 years crossed. so there’s no need of ban the online rummy in telangana state, if it so then all the people join together and ask for the ban of liquior ( WINES ).
Rahul
June 27, 2017 at 1:03 am
In India 28 states are there ,why only Orissa,telanagana and Assam baned this site.we are not investing lot .By this site nothing will happen ,it’s been leagal …Why kcr took this decision is big disappointed
bhaskar
July 4, 2017 at 6:50 pm
It is very good decision for the looser’s but about business part it has some problem significant tax money loss implications is there. I think TS Govt decision about gaming ban thinking is different.
thanks
Abigail Otwell
August 23, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Really very good decisions.