Tamil Nadu government has invited inputs from stakeholders on the proposed legislation on online games.
Stakeholders include the general public, parents, teachers, students, youth, psychologists, social activists, and online gaming service providers.
The government formed a panel headed by Justice (retired) K Chandru to provide recommendations on a new online gaming legislation. The government is now considering the committee’s report.
Inputs are to be e-mailed to homesec@tn.gov.in before 12 August 2022 and organisations wishing to personally address the relevant authority are to submit a request by 5 pm on 16 August 2022.
The stakeholders’ consultation will start at 4 pm on 18 August 2022 with organisations being given time slots. Organisations will be permitted to attend the consultation meeting only after receiving time slots.
In the recent past, Tamil Nadu has witnessed at least 20 deaths as a result of financial hardships brought on by online rummy and other games. The government said online games could cause learning and social disorders.
The home, prohibition and excise department said the need to ban/regulate online gambling was brought to the government’s attention and leaders across political parties, psychologists and social activists, have been highlighting the ill-effects of addiction to online games and gambling.
Earlier, the government constituted a four-member panel, led by Justice (Rtd) K Chandru, to examine the adverse effects of online rummy and for advising on enacting fresh legislation on online games. The committee submitted its recommendation to Chief Minister MK Stalin in June and the report is under the government’s consideration.