The Kerala government has imposed a ban on online rummy games by issuing a notification under the Kerala Gaming Act.
The decision came in the wake of a strong demand from various quarters to curb online rummy, and a petition was even filed at the Kerala High Court in this regard recently. The government had informed the court that a law to regulate online rummy would be introduced.
Government sources said that owing to a paucity of time, online rummy was banned through a notification under section 14 A of the Kerala Gaming Act instead of bringing in a fresh law. The police could take action against those involved in online rummy games using the notification.
The High Court recently issued notices to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, actress Thamannah Bhatia and Malayalam actor Aju Varghese in connection with the petition seeking a ban on online rummy games. They were accused of endorsing the online rummy games and were hence issued notices.
The petition seeking a ban on online games came close on the heels of a couple of youths in Kerala ending their life by suicide allegedly due to financial crises caused by online rummy games. A staff of the Kerala government treasury was also accused of syphoning off huge amounts from the treasury owing to his addiction to online rummy games.
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