Tamil Nadu will take steps to ban online gambling, the state's chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced on Thursday. Palaniswami said that a legislation would soon be brought in that will deem all those who "conduct and indulge in online gambling" as criminals, reported multiple media outlets, including The Hindu and The News Minute. Tamil Nadu will be the latest state in the country to take action against online gambling and real money gaming; neighbouring Andhra Pradesh had recently taken a similar decision. Tamil Nadu's decision comes just days after the Madras High Court issued notice in two petitions seeking a complete ban and directions against online gambling, including online rummy. Palaniswami reportedly told reporters in Chennai that the ban is based on demands from various people and organisations. The state has seen a spate of suicides linked to online gambling. In Coimbatore, two men aged 28 and 32 died of suicide within the span of last week; around a dozen such deaths have been reported across Tamil Nadu in recent times, reported The Times of India. According to an English translation of Palaniswami's tweet, online gambling had "ruined the lives" of many young people by wasting their money and time, forcing them to take their lives. "Honourable Amma [late former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa]'s government has decided to ban all online gambling games," he said. In another tweet, he said that the government will swiftly amend the law and arrest all those running and engaging in online gambling. Madras High Court…
