Karnataka High Court Issues Notice Seeking Ban on All Forms of Online Gambling

The High Court of Karnataka has ordered an issue of notice to the State government on a PIL looking to ban online gambling and betting until a regulatory mechanism has been introduced.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty passed the order after a petition filed by Sharada DR, a resident of Davanagere.

The petitioner argued that there is a complete regulatory vacuum in the state regarding online gambling and betting. As in many similar pleas, the petition argues the vulnerable need to be protected from the industry.

It continued that the present Karnataka Police Act relates only to traditional gambling and is ill-prepared to cover the surge in online activity.

This is just the latest example of PILs reaching state High Courts. Late last month, a PIL was filed in Delhi High Court seeking a ban on online betting and gambling.

Tamil Nadu was the latest state to move against online gambling with legislation, following Andhra Pradesh and Telegana.