We missed this earlier. The Delhi High Court disposed of another petition against online gambling last week, and essentially reminded the Delhi government of how online gambling remains unregulated in the national capital. Instead of passing any directions, the court told the Delhi government to treat the petition as a representation and act upon the issues raised in the plea, which included demands that online gambling should be prohibited and better regulated. In November last year, the court had directed that a similar petition in the same court be considered a representation to the Delhi government. Filed by Tarun Chandiok, the latest petition had asked for prohibition of websites and apps offering online gambling apps in the name of fantasy gaming or games of skill, since they are allegedly in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1857, and the Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955. The plea explicitly mentioned several apps in question — Adda52 Poker, PokerStars, Zynga Poker, Teen Patti Gold, Poker Rummy, and Texas Hold’em Poker (per PTI) — calling for wider regulation of online gambling. It had asked the court to: Prohibit TV channels, radio, and internet companies from running ads, promos, and campaigns of such “illegally run” gaming websites and mobile apps, Initiate penal action under the aforementioned laws against violators, and Establish a policy or gaming commission to comprehensively regulate and address grievances of online players, and also to guard minors. Chandiok was represented by lawyer Rakesh Tiku, who had argued that the games mentioned involved…
