[Online Gambling] 30 persons have died by suicide in TN, Madras High Court observes; posts PIL against celebs endorsing online games to Dec 10

The Madras High Court on Thursday reiterated earlier concerns regarding the effect of online gambling in the State, orally observing that 30 persons have committed suicide thus far..The Bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi was hearing a PIL moved by Advocate Mohammad Razvi against online games as well as celebrity endorsements of such games. .The petitioner has also sought action against Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly, and actors Prakash Raj, Tamannah Bhatia, Rana Daggubati and Sudeep for endorsing various online games. .This apart, the Online Rummy Federation of India has also been made a party to the case. .Madras High Court issues notice to Centre, TN, Virat Kohli, Saurav Ganguly in PIL against online games.Arguing for Sourav Ganguly, who has endorsed fantasy online sports game My11Circle, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi today contended that there is no online gambling involved in the game. ."This is not online gambling. Kindly give me a few days time, I will file an affidavit", Rohatgi told the Court..Justice Kirubakaran, however, remarked, ."He is a star. If he appears as a person in ads, people are becoming victims.. For the ordinary common man, what does it mean when a star or film star appears? They will try to follow. Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly have so many followers. Fans and fans.".Rohatgi responded that he would file reply explaining his stance. "I take your Lordships observations in the right spirit… I will come back to your Lordships after two weeks, I will put in a reply also", said Rohatgi. .Appearing for the Online Rummy Federation of India, Senior Advocate PS Raman submitted that a distinction has to be drawn between online gambling and other forms of online games. There is a difference between online rummy and gambling, he told the Court. .Additional Advocate General Sricharan Rangarajan, who was earlier asked to assist in the matter, informed the Bench that there is a 2018 Supreme Court judgment that is relevant to the issue. He also pointed out that a 2019 amendment to the Consumer Protection Act thrusts responsibility on celebrities when it comes to advertisements. Further, he also submitted materials on the Advertising Code..Given that State authorities are also party to the case, the Court has now appointed Senior Advocate Veerakathiravan to assist as an amicus curiae. .The Court also directed that fresh notice, including private notice, may be served on some of the respondents to the matter. .The Bench proceeded to post the matter for further hearing on December 10 at 2:15 pm, by which time the respondents are expected to file their counters and serve it on the respective parties. .On a related note, the same Bench is also dealing with a petition filed against online rummy. During the hearing in the matter yesterday, the Court was told by AAG Rangarajan that the Tamil Nadu government is contemplating the introduction of a law to ban or regulate online gambling. .TN govt mulling law to ban/regulate online gambling; Madras High Court voices concern over "hero worship" of celebrities endorsing online games