Petition Has Become Infructuous: Karnataka High Court Dismisses PIL Seeking Ban On Online Betting And Gambling

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum dismissed as infructuous the PIL filed by one Sharada D R who sought directions to the government to ban all online betting and gambling.

The order was passed after the state government informed the court that, "State government has brought an amendment in the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 and as such the writ petition in the present form has become infructuous."

Advocate Shridhar Prabhu appearing for the petitioner also agreed that the petition for the purpose it was filed has become infructuous.

The petition had stated that the State of Karnataka remains in a regulatory vacuum. The gullible and hapless sections of society, particularly the youth, are falling prey to online gambling and betting in the midst of a pandemic situation.

The High Courts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have directed their respective jurisdictional state legislatures to explore the possibilities of regulating the regime. In these states there exists a central legislation. However, in Karnataka there is neither central legislation nor any regulatory regime.

Gaming companies have challenged the Amendment Act before the High Court. Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadgi has orally assured the court that no precipitative action would be taken against online gaming companies for the time being.

Case Title: Sharada D R v. State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 13714/2020

Click Here To Read/Download The Order