© Provided by India Today Tamil Nadu govt gives assent to Bill banning online gambling | Details

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday notified the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, after state governor RN Ravi gave his assent to the Bill.

Pending for several months, the law was published in the Government Gazette, following the assent from Governor RN Ravi.

The move came amidst the controversial comment by RN Ravi who, during an interaction with UPSC aspirants, said that a Bill withheld by the Governor means the Bill is dead. The State Assembly condemned his comments and passed a resolution urging the President and Union Government to create a definite time period for Governors to provide assent to Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly.

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Though assent was provided on April 7, it was reportedly informed to State Government on Monday post which the law was published in the Government Gazette.

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

– Any person indulging in online gambling/online games of chance with money or other stakes shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with a fine up to Rs 5,000 or both.

– Similarly, those violating the provision on advertisement for promotion or inducing people to play online gambling/games of chance will face punishment with imprisonment up to one year or with a fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakh, or both.

– Any person who provides online gambling service shall face punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh or both.

As per the Gazette, a panel will also constituted to regulate online gaming.

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