Tamil Nadu Grants Gaming Operators a Reprieve: Six-Week Extension to Comply With Controversial TNOGA Rules

The ongoing saga of Tamil Nadu’s attempt to regulate real-money gaming (RMG) has taken another turn. The state government has granted RMG operators a six-week extension to comply with the new Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025. The new deadline is now March 26, 2025. But this isn’t a sign of surrender; it’s more like a temporary ceasefire in a much larger battle.

This extension comes after multiple gaming federations met with officials from the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA). The operators argued that complying with the new regulations presented significant “technological challenges.” In other words, they needed more time to overhaul their systems to meet the state’s demands.

Md. Nasimuddin, Chairperson of TNOGA, confirmed the extension in an official communication. He stated, “Now, based on the representations received from various gaming federations seeking time to comply with the above regulations, the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority grants six weeks from the date of the above notification to all the companies and other concerned entities to comply with the regulations.” But don’t mistake this for leniency. The underlying message is clear: comply or face the consequences.

To recap, these regulations, which were officially notified on February 12, 2025, include:

• Age Restrictions: No real-money gaming for anyone under 18.
• Aadhaar Verification: Mandatory identity verification using Aadhaar to enforce the age limit.
• Gameplay Warnings: Pop-up warnings after one hour of continuous play and every 30 minutes thereafter, reminding players of their total playtime.
• Deposit Limits: Players must be able to set daily, weekly, and monthly spending limits. Every deposit triggers a pop-up showing the player’s spending.
• Addiction Warnings: All login pages should display a constant, prominent message stating, “ONLINE GAMING IS ADDICTIVE IN NATURE.”
• Blank Hours: No gaming allowed on these apps from Midnight to 5 am.

These rules aren’t just suggestions; they’re backed by the threat of legal action. TNOGA has made it clear that non-compliance could lead to criminal charges under Section 16(3) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling & Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of trying to clamp down on online gaming, particularly real-money games. It’s tried outright bans twice before, and both times, the courts struck down those bans. The Madras High Court, in particular, has consistently ruled that skill-based games (like rummy and poker) cannot be banned outright, although the state can impose reasonable restrictions.

This history is crucial because it explains why the current regulations are being challenged in court again. A coalition of plaintiffs, including the Esports Players Welfare Association (EPWA), individual professional gamers (like poker pros Vikram “Lungi” Kumar and WSOP bracelet winner Aditya Sushant, and chess prodigy PS Rathanvel), and major RMG companies (Play Games 24X7, Head Digital Works, Junglee Games), have filed writ petitions in the Madras High Court.

Their arguments are strong:

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: They claim the regulations infringe on the right to equality, the right to practice a profession, and personal liberty – all guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
• Jurisdictional Overreach: They argue that regulating skill-based games is the central government’s domain, not the state’s.
• Lack of Empirical Basis: They contend that the regulations are based on assumptions and lack solid data to support them.
• The Midnight Gaming Ban is Arbitrary: The arguments against the ban between midnight and 5 AM by top legal counsels for the plaintiffs have been fierce, stating that it hurts professional players, especially when competing in international tournaments.

The Madras High Court has heard preliminary arguments and has given the Tamil Nadu government two weeks to file detailed counter-affidavits. A final hearing will follow, setting up a high-stakes legal showdown.

The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) have both been vocal about the need for a balanced approach. While they acknowledge the need for responsible gaming measures, they’re concerned about the operational burden and potential negative consequences of overly restrictive state-level regulations. They, and many legal experts, argue that a national regulatory framework is the only sensible long-term solution. This would provide consistency and prevent a patchwork of different rules across states, which is a nightmare for both operators and players. It would also help to curb the growth of illegal offshore gambling platforms, which thrive in the absence of clear, fair regulations.

The stakes in this legal battle are incredibly high. The Madras High Court’s decision will have far-reaching implications:

For Tamil Nadu: If the regulations are upheld, it could significantly impact the state’s online gaming industry, potentially driving players to unregulated platforms or forcing them to use VPNs. If the regulations are struck down, it will be another blow to the state’s efforts to curb online gaming.

For India: The judgment could set a precedent for other states contemplating similar regulations. It will shape the ongoing debate about striking the right balance between state power, individual rights, and the economic potential of online gaming.

For the Legal Landscape: The case will further clarify the legal distinction between games of skill and chance, the extent of state legislative power, and the boundaries of permissible restrictions on fundamental rights.

For the gaming community: Professional players and casual gamers alike stand to lose a lot.

The Tamil Nadu gaming saga is a microcosm of the larger challenges facing the Indian online gaming industry. It highlights the urgent need for clear, consistent, and nationally applicable regulations that protect players, promote responsible gaming, and allow the industry to grow sustainably. The six-week extension provides a temporary pause, but the underlying legal and regulatory questions remain, and the outcome of the court case will be crucial.

This is a developing story. Keep following PokerGuru for all the latest updates!