Bengaluru: The State High Court will hear petitions filed by All India Gaming Federation and individual online gaming operators on Wednesday October 27. The petitions have been filed questioning the legality of provisions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021 that prohibits and criminalises playing of games of skill including online games by risking money or otherwise.
Justice Krishna S. Dixit, before whom the petition was filed on Friday October 22 said that the interim plea for stay of the operation of the new law, would be considered on October 27.
The court also noted that it is settled law that games of skill (involving risking of money or otherwise) do not amount to wagering or betting as interpreted by apex court, and therefore the State cannot prohibit such activities.
The criminalisation of the games of skill (whether for stakes or not) is going to affect not only the investments made by the members of the federation, but the livelihood of the employees, the petition has claimed.
