TN Guv RN Ravi finally clears Bill banning online gambling

Hours after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre and President to fix a timeframe for Governors to approve Bills, Governor RN Ravi gave his nod to a bill prohibiting online gambling and regulating online games.

An ordinance (prohibiting online gambling, wager-based online games of chance of Rummy and Poker) was promulgated by Governor Ravi on October 1, 2022 and a gazette notification was made by the government on October 3. The Tamil Nadu Assembly met on October 17 last year for a brief session and the Bill was passed.

The adoption of the Bill was necessitated after the Madras High Court had struck down on August 3, 2021 the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act 2021 which banned wager or placing bet in cyberspace.

After the Bill's passage, it was sent to Raj Bhavan for Governor's assent and the government was repeatedly urging Governor RN Ravi to clear it.

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a fresh resolution against Governor RN Ravi for allegedly not clearing Bills passed by the State Assembly.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday said the Governor is functioning against the welfare of the people.

Speaking in the State Assembly, Stalin said, "This is the second resolution I am bringing against Governor. The Sarkaria Commission had said that Governor should be a detached figure. Dr Ambedkar has said that Governor should not intervene within the authority of the State Government. Several Supreme Court orders have said that the Governor should be a guide. But our Governor is not ready to be a friend of the people."

On Monday, Tamil Nadu Minister Durai Murugan moved the Resolution in the State Assembly urging the central government and President Draupadi Murmu to immediately issue appropriate instructions to the Tamil Nadu Governor to give assent to the Bills passed by the Assembly within a specific period of time.

However, twenty other bills are pending with the Governor.