Madras High Court Uphold Tamil Nadu’s Right to Regulate Online Gaming

The Madras High Court has upheld Tamil Nadu’s authority to regulate online real money games (RMG) to prevent addiction and social harm. The court clarified that while the government can impose restrictions, regulations must also respect fundamental rights.

Gaming companies have challenged Tamil Nadu’s 2025 rules, which ban online gaming from midnight to 5 AM and mandate Aadhaar-based verification. The state argues that these measures protect users from financial losses and excessive gaming.

The court acknowledged the state’s concerns but stated that any restrictions must be reasonable. 

As the hearing continues, Adv Rohatgi has suggested allowing players to select their five-hour blank period, proposing a more flexible approach to regulation.