The Delhi Government directed the Centre and AAP government to treat the PIL against sites, Apps for allegedly facilitating online gambling as representation.
The PIL seeks to pray before the court to issue a direction, order or writ, including a writ in the nature of mandamus against the Respondent authority, enjoining them to interdict access of internet content involving websites and mobile application facilitating proscribed “gaming”, whether in the name of online fantasy gaming or skill monetization or game of skill, within the meaning of the Public Gambling Act 1867 and the Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955.
Some of the mobile gaming apps, which allegedly facilitate online gambling, that have been referred to in the petition are Adda52 Poker, PokerStars, Zynga Poker, Teen Patti Gold, Poker Rummy and Texas Hold’em Poker.
The petitioner has contended that these are games of chance and involve no skill and therefore, ought to be prohibited in accordance with the anti-gambling laws.
The petitioner told the court that a representation was made to the Centre and Delhi government in September and the latter had responded by saying that the matter has been forwarded to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot who also holds the Information and Technology portfolio. Then further information was received.
On the other hand the Delhi government contended that it had already dealt with a similar matter last year by disposing of it with the direction to treat it as a representation.
The division Judge bench headed by the Chief Justice, D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan asked that the instant plea, filed through advocate Varun Chandiok, be also treated as a representation and the petitioner’s grievances be decided in accordance with the law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case.
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