&w=3840&q=100)
Madras High Court upholds Tamil Nadu's real-money gaming regulations
The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld Tamil Nadu's regulations that impose time limits on real-money games (RMGs) such as rummy and poker.
The state's regulations prohibit real-money gaming platforms from operating between midnight and 5 am.
A Bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar dismissed the writ petitions filed by Esport Players Welfare Association and gaming companies such as WinZO, Head Digital Works, Junglee Games, and Games24x7.
The High Court noted regulations framed by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority were not paternalistic but were intended to ensure the physical, mental, and financial well-being of the state's people.
It said the petitioners' contention that no blanket hours were imposed on consuming content on OTT (over the top) platforms, unlike real-money games, was not sustainable because there were no monetary stakes involved.
'It is only in online RMGs where there are stakes involved (that) the players get attracted by the prospect of rewards, which could lead to addictive behaviour and, more often than ever, (the players) tend to get lost in the pleasure of the game,' the court observed.
The court said there was no strong reason to dilute the need for Aadhaar-based authentication. This is required to verify the age of the participants, given that the law prohibits minors from playing real-money games.
'The scope for manipulation or deceit is less in Aadhaar verification (than in) other ID proofs,' it noted.
It added the state was authorised to pass legislation to govern matters affecting the public health of its citizens, citing that games such as rummy and poker had created public-health risks in Tamil Nadu.
An industry participant said: 'From the industry's perspective, the state's powers are restricted to betting and gambling. RMGs in India are a game of skill and not chance. By consequence, the powers to regulate online games of skill rest only with the Centre.'
The person added that the ban hours prohibited professionals from playing in international tournaments.
'Players cannot play international tournaments held during the hours when the blanket ban is imposed (midnight to 5 am). They are missing out. The right to livelihood is in question,' the person added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
31 minutes ago
- Economic Times
OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes
OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday. While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said. Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology, which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio. OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms. In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID. Some content also criticised US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as "Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who's supposed to keep eating?". In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation. A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within U.S. political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on OpenAI's findings. OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world's most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.
The Hindu
36 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Army unveils oxygen plant for high-altitude emergencies in Arunachal's Tawang
GUWAHATI The Indian Army has unveiled an oxygen generation plant for high-altitude emergencies in western Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang. The plant at the Military Hospital in Tawang was engineered for rapid deployment and optimal efficiency under extreme conditions. It is a self-contained unit capable of generating medical-grade oxygen round the clock. The facility, built with contributions from the Soldiers' Independent Rehabilitation Foundation, a Pune-based NGO, was commissioned by the General Officer Commanding of the Gajraj Corps' Ball of Fire Division on Thursday (June 5, 2025). The plant would 'serve as a critical life-saving facility for both the armed forces personnel and local civilian populations, especially in the strategically sensitive and geographically challenging terrain of the region,' a Defence Ministry statement said. Most of the habitations in Tawang district are at an altitude of at least 10,000 ft. above mean sea level. Oxygen levels are low in these places. On June 3, the Army's Spear Corps carried out a major civic outreach initiative under Operation Sadbhavana in the Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Subansiri district. The activities included the distribution of stationery kits to primary school children, the installation of mobile toilet cubicles to improve public hygiene and sanitation, and the establishment of open-air gym equipment to promote fitness and community well-being.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes
OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday. While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said. Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology, which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio. OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms. In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID. Some content also criticized US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as "Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who's supposed to keep eating?". In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation. A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within US political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on OpenAI's findings. OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world's most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.
