Centre Seeks Supreme Court Nod to Transfer Online Gaming Law Cases from High Courts

Quick Summary:

• The Center has moved the Supreme Court to transfer various pleas challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 from multiple high courts to avoid conflicting judgments.
• The plea was mentioned before a bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, with listing scheduled for consideration next week.
• The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is India’s first central legislation imposing a nationwide ban on real-money online gaming, including fantasy sports.
• This law classifies violations as cognisable and non-bailable offences, banning real-money games irrespective of whether they involve skill or chance.
• It was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 20, passed within two days in both Houses of parliament by voice vote, and received Presidential assent on August 22.
• legal challenges have arisen from high courts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Delhi.
• The Centre argues that a consolidated hearing before the Supreme Court will ensure consistency across cases.

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Indian Opinion Analysis:
The move to consolidate legal challenges under the supreme Court demonstrates an effort by the government to streamline judicial outcomes concerning notable national legislation like the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Opposing judgments from different high courts could create confusion in enforcement across states given its far-reaching impact – categorizing violations as cognisable offenses impacting industries such as fantasy sports that operate at scale nationwide.

This case highlights broader questions about balancing regulation with economic freedoms-notably concerning sectors intertwined with technology, innovation platforms like online gaming-and its role in employment generation versus possible social concerns such legislative restrictions aim at mitigating