Madras HC denies Interim Relief to RMG Companies, sets final hearing for March 27

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The Madras HC has denied interim relief to Play Games 24×7 and other rummy companies, upon their request seeking interim relief against coercive actions taken by the Government stating that relief had been denied at the stage of admission and can not be granted now. The HC has permitted them to file a fresh Writ petition if required. 

As reported by Storyboard18, a Division Bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar heard the batch of petitions on Friday. Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Play Games 24×7 and other rummy companies, requested more time to file the rejoinder as they just received the state’s counter-affidavit. He also sought interim relief to prevent coercive action. He further pointed out that TNOGA had granted companies time until March 26 to comply with the new regulations and requested an extension.

In the previous hearing on March 12, the Madras High Court has asked both central and state governments to respond by March 21 to petitions challenging Tamil Nadu’s 2025 online gaming regulations. These regulations prohibit minors from playing online real-money games, require Aadhaar verification, mandate warning pop-ups during extended gameplay, and enforce a midnight to 5 AM gaming blackout. Companies including Play Games 24×7 and the Esports Players Welfare Association filed petitions arguing these rules impose unreasonable constraints and infringe on fundamental rights. The court will begin hearings from March 17, with the implementation deadline set for March 26. This case continues Tamil Nadu’s history of attempting to regulate online gaming and could set significant precedents for gaming regulations across India.

WinZO Games had sought to be impleaded in the case, but the court rejected its request. However, the company was granted the liberty to file a separate writ petition if necessary.

The petitioners are challenging key provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022. They argue that sections empowering TNOGA to regulate playing time, spending limits, and age restrictions are unconstitutional. Specifically, the companies are contesting the TNOGA (RMG) Regulations, 2025, particularly Regulations 4(iii) and 4(viii), which impose restrictions on minors, mandate Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, and set monetary limits per player. They also highlighted concerns regarding spending caps, limitations on gameplay duration, and the restriction of game access for minors.

These regulations also require Aadhaar-based verification for RMG participation and enforce a mandatory ban on gaming between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. The Tamil Nadu government had initially set a six-week implementation period from the notification date, with a compliance deadline of March 26. Multiple gaming federations have since met with TNOGA officials, seeking an extension of this timeline, citing challenges in implementing the regulations within the given timeframe.

Md. Nasimuddin, Chairperson of TNOGA, confirmed in a communication to stakeholders that the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority has officially notified the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025. These regulations were published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Notification No. 6, dated February 12, 2025, and took effect immediately upon publication.

The final hearing is scheduled for March 27th and is expected to be crucial for the future of online gaming regulations in Tamil Nadu. Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the case, as its outcome could set a precedent for gaming laws across India.

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