Karnataka Top court keeps out Karnataka’s online gambling betting gaming law and calls it unconstitutional

The Karnataka High Court today keeps out rules of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, which criminalises online betting illegal

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Krishna S Dixit stated that the law which the Karnataka state government brought regarding online betting is unconstitutional

The bench strongly said that “The consequences of striking down the provisions shall follow. However, nothing in this judgement shall be construed to prevent an appropriate legislation from being brought about, concerning the subject of betting and gambling in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution”.

Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi delivered and tried to defend by saying that the online gambling games are injurious to mental health and create strong stress among citizens.

Meanwhile, The Bench also noted that the court is not going to keep out the entire Act and delivered that it won't be involved in future; if the government of Karnataka makes a new law with the framework of Constitutional provisions.

Similar to Karnataka High Court, earlier Kerala High Court and Madras High Court have also kept out state laws prohibiting betting on online platforms games of pure skill. 

On the other hand similar petitions against a same kind law passed by the government of Andhra Pradesh are presently pending before the respective High Court. Meanwhile, the Government of Tamil Nadu went to the Supreme Court against the order  of Madras High Court. 

The Supreme Court of India earlier in 1968 delivered a judgement that Rummy is skillful game and in 1996 court said that horse-racing is a game of skill.