Image Source: thehindu.com
The Kerela high on Wednesday issued a notice to indian cricketer Virat Kohli and the state government in plea seeking a ban on online gambling state.
Besides Kohli, a division bench, headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar, also issued notices to Malayalam actor Aju Varghese and South Indian actress Tamanna Bhatia.
The notice issued to persons are the brand ambassadors of the online rummy games.
The petitioner contented that there have been reported many cases and they have been scammed later.
He also contended that these platforms endorsed by celebrities, including Kohli, Bhatia and Varghese, attract their audience with fake promises while in reality, the probability of such winnings is slim to none, thus making a fool of unsuspecting people.
The Kerala Gaming Act 1960, does not bring within its purview any online gambling, wagering or betting activities.
"Thus a person sitting in his private house, using these online gambling platforms from his house arguably may not come within the definition of a common gaming house," the petitioner said.
In the plea, the petitioner noted that various High Courts, particularly the high courts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, have directed their respective jurisdictional state legislatures to explore the possibilities regulating online gaming.
The plea seeks a ban or to regulate and monitor online gambling games by framing laws that include within its purview games that are conducted online by using electronic gadgets including mobile phone, computers, laptops and other communication devices.