Centre moves SC for transfer of petitions against online gaming law from HCs

Citing multiplicity of litigation, the Centre on Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, pending before various high courts to the top court.

The counsel for the Union mentioned before the bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, urging that the present transfer petition be listed on coming Monday.

"The Union has filed a transfer plea...The Online Gaming Regulation Act has been challenged before three high courts. If it can be listed on Monday because it's listed for interim orders before the Karnataka High Court," a counsel, representing the Centre, told a Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai which agreed to list it next week.

Passed by Parliament in the recently concluded Monsoon Session on August 21, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, received the Presidential Assent on August 22.

It is the first central legislation imposing a nationwide ban on real-money online gaming, including popular formats such as fantasy sports. It prohibits offering or playing online money games, regardless of whether they are games of skill or chance, and categorises violations as cognisable and non-bailable offences.

The Act has been challenged before the high courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

The petitioners have also contended that the Act put a blanket prohibition on judicially recognised skill-based games, thus violating Article 19(1)(g) which guaranteed fundamental right to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.