There is a fresh plea, this time in the Kerala High Court, asking for online gambling and wagering platforms — or real-money gaming platforms depending on what state you are in — be regulated and monitored. Filed by one Pauly Vadakkan, a film director, the petition pleaded the Kerala HC to declare online betting and gambling, particularly online rummy, unlawful and illegal. The plea also asks for direction to the Kerala state government to ban these online betting or gambling "of any nature" until an appropriate regulatory regime is established and regulations are framed by the state government. The petition was filed on January 12 by Vadakkan's lawyer Jomy K. Jose. On January 28, the Kerala High Court issued notice to all parties enlisted in the petition. It said that the state government should respond to the averments made in the petition and prima facie the matter requires the state government's "serious attention". Senior government pleader Aravindakumar Babu took notice for the Kerala state government, secretary to Kerala IT department, and Kerala State Police Chief. Suvin R. Menon took notice for TRAI. Notice was also issued to PlayGames 24x7 Pvt. Ltd. (which operates RummyCircle), Mobile Premier League, Virat Kohli, Aju Varghese and Tamannaah Bhatia. 'Technology, COVID-19 led to more usage of online gambling sites' The most common forms of gambling historically have been card games such as teen patti, poker, rummy, bridge, as well as sports betting, the petition said. "With the dawn of technology these gaming effectively extended their reach and popularity…
