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Madras HC Sets Final Hearing Date For RMG Suit

The Madras High Court on Friday afternoon heard a series of petitions challenging the restrictions imposed by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA). A Division Bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar scheduled the matter for a final hearing on March 27.

Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Play Games 24×7 and other rummy companies, informed the court that they had received the state government’s counter-affidavit only that day. He requested additional time to file a rejoinder and proposed March 27, 2025, for the final hearing. Rohatgi also sought interim relief to prevent any coercive action and requested an extension of the March 26, 2025, compliance deadline set by TNOGA.

The court agreed to hear the case on March 27, 2025, but reiterated that interim relief had been denied at the admission stage and could not be granted now. It allowed the Union of India and other parties yet to submit counter-affidavits to do so before the next hearing. Petitioners were also granted permission to file rejoinders.

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ALSO READ: Gaming Companies Challenge Tamil Nadu’s Regulations In Court

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WinZO Games’ plea to be impleaded in the case was rejected. However, the company was given the liberty to file a separate writ petition if necessary.

At an earlier hearing, the petitioners had urged the court to declare certain provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, unconstitutional. These provisions authorize TNOGA to regulate playing time, spending limits, and age restrictions for online gaming.

The petitioners specifically contested the TNOGA (RMG) Regulations, 2025, focusing on Regulations 4(iii) and 4(viii). They also sought clarification on other regulations, including the ban on minors playing, mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, monetary caps per player, and pop-up warnings about gaming addiction. The restrictions under dispute include Aadhaar-based verification for real money games (RMG) and a mandatory ban on gameplay between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.

The Tamil Nadu government had initially set a six-week deadline, ending March 26, for implementing the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025. Several gaming federations engaged with TNOGA officials to request an extension.

TNOGA Chairperson Md. Nasimuddin confirmed that the authority had officially notified the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025, through Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Notification No. 6, dated February 12, 2025. The regulations took effect upon publication in the Gazette.

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