Tamil Nadu Government faces backlash over Online Gambling deaths as Ramadoss demands action

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A tragic incident in Tamil Nadu has reignited the debate over online gambling regulations, with PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss strongly criticizing the state government’s inaction.

According to a report by The Times of India, a 27-year-old man named Kanagaraj from Tiruchi North Taranallur died by suicide after losing a significant amount of money through online gambling. Kanagaraj, who was employed with the BSNL, had been married for just nine months. Struggling with financial distress and mounting debt, he took his own life at his residence.

The incident has led to widespread concern, with Dr. Ramadoss expressing condolences and calling for urgent government intervention. In a statement, he said, “If online gambling has driven young individuals to depression and suicide, it is evident how dangerous it is. The authorities, especially the rulers, must understand this.”

Dr. Ramadoss emphasized that the Tamil Nadu government must take decisive steps to curb online gambling. He pointed out that Kanagaraj was the 25th person to die by suicide due to gambling-related losses since the Madras High Court’s ruling on online gambling on November 9, 2023. He further highlighted that in just the first three months of 2025, eight individuals had died under similar circumstances.

The increasing number of gambling-related deaths in Tamil Nadu further highlights the severity of the issue. On March 19, 2025, P. Arunachalam, a 35-year-old lecturer at the Government Law College in Rasipuram, was found dead at his residence after losing significant amounts of money through online rummy. Similarly, in February 2025, S. Tamil Mani, a 45-year-old truck driver from Sadayampalayam near Kumarapalayam, died by suicide after losing ₹75 lakh in online gambling, including rummy and IPL cricket betting.

Dr. Ramadoss argued that the only way to prevent further tragedies was for the Tamil Nadu government to obtain a stay on the Madras High Court’s verdict from the Supreme Court. “More than a year has passed since the verdict, yet the Tamil Nadu government has failed to secure a stay,” he stated. He further questioned, “If the government had the will, why hasn’t it expedited the online gambling ban case in the Supreme Court? Are the interests of gambling companies more important than the welfare of the people?”

Dr. Ramadoss urged the government to act without delay and ensure that the case is heard in the Supreme Court at the earliest. He stressed that negligence in this matter would only lead to more loss of lives. “The case related to the ban on online gambling must be taken up immediately to prevent further tragedies,” he insisted.

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