The Karnataka government has contended before the Karnataka High Court that the recent gaming boycott is planned to keep adolescents from becoming addicts and their families from falling into profound obligations, ET revealed. As per the government, gaming platforms are creating addiction among youth and have even prompted suicide in some cases.

The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021

The Karnataka government passed an amendment to its Police Act on October 5. The amendment bans a wide range of online wagering and betting, including games of skill. It makes operation, wagering, or protecting of online games including the trading of money, wagering, and betting “cognizable and non-bailable offense.”

The law currently conveys a punishment of as long as three years detainment and a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, an increment from the prior recommended punishment of detainment as long as one year, and a fine up to Rs. 1,000.

Petitioner’s contentions

Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Arvind Datar showed up for the petitioner All India Gaming Federation (AIGF). They challenged the amendments to the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, preceding the bench of Justice S. Dixit.

The petitioners prayed the court to declare the law unconstitutional because it infringed the fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. They further contended that the Karnataka Legislature did not have the power to pass such a law, and in this manner, requested that the court issue a directive precluding police and different authorities from making a coercive move against petitioners under the new law.

Government’s contention

Advocate General Prabhulinga Navadgi showed up for the Karnataka government. He guaranteed that none of the online gateways satisfactorily cautioned or uncovered the way of prize distribution to their clients. Further, they bait players to go through gigantic amounts of money by promising appealing returns that are not there.

He added that the government doesn’t see a need to treat a game of chance or skill unexpectedly. The result of wagering money is the same in the two situations. They are causing addiction among youth which is like liquor or drug abuse, and in any event, causing suicide on occasion.

On purview of the Karnataka Legislature to administer regarding the matter, he said the state was well inside its legislative authority to order the amendment.

The government’s statement guaranteed there are “overpowering reasons” to restrict wagering, and that the amendments were to counter a squeezing social evil.

Individual online gaming organizations like Play Games 24X7, Gameskraft, and so on have likewise filed different petitions. The High Court is hearing the group of petitions together.

Credits: MY LAWRD