The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Ordinance, 2022 was unanimously passed by the Assembly, despite objections from Governor Ravi. The bill was first passed on 19 October 2022, but was returned by Ravi on March 6 questioning the Assembly’s competence to frame such a law.

A determined Chief Minister Stalin appealed to the House saying: “This is a bill passed not just with the mind, but also our hearts.” He referred to 41 people having committed suicide after losing huge money in gambling. Seen as a rebuff to Governor, Stalin said: “government received 10,785 emails from public of which only 27 were against the ban; it formulated suggestions on a report by a team of retired Justice K Chandru

State has every right to “streamline, regulate and protect people” living within its jurisdiction; cited Union Minister Anurag Thakur’s written response in Parliament underlining state’s powers to legislate on betting/gambling; and summed up with “this government can’t function without a conscience.” Best bet alright, but Stalin must ensure the ban is implemented.