Madras HC Upholds Tamil Nadu’s Ban on Late-Night Online Real Money Gaming
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 4th June: The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the Tamil Nadu government’s restrictions on online real money games, including a ban on gameplay between midnight and 5 AM. The decision comes as a setback for several online gaming operators who had challenged the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025.
A division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramanian and K. Rajasekar ruled that the state was within its constitutional powers to impose the curbs, citing alarming public health concerns. The court noted that at least 47 individuals had reportedly died by suicide in Tamil Nadu due to financial losses incurred through online gaming.
“The state government has placed sufficient material on record to demonstrate the existence of a public health crisis arising from online gaming addiction, leading to financial ruin, mental distress, and tragically, loss of life,” the court stated in its judgment.
The bench also upheld the mandate for Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure only adults aged 18 and above can access such games, dismissing the industry’s argument that such regulation should fall solely under the purview of the central government.
“In light of the specific and grave situation within Tamil Nadu, the state is well within its powers under the Constitution to enact measures to protect its citizens on grounds of public health and public order,” the court added.
Gaming firms had argued that the restrictions were excessive and hurt legitimate business operations. They also raised concerns about compliance burdens, user acquisition, and potential revenue loss due to the mandatory “blank hours” and the Aadhaar authentication requirement.
Representatives of the online gaming industry expressed disappointment with the verdict, reiterating their concerns about state overreach and its implications on innovation and employment in the digital gaming sector.
The Tamil Nadu government had presented detailed data linking online gaming losses to suicides and growing mental health concerns, which the court found compelling in its decision to prioritise public welfare over commercial interests.
