Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 4: The Centre on Thursday approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 from various high courts to the apex court.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, counsel for the Union submitted that the matter was pending before the high courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. “The Online Gaming Regulation Act has been challenged before three high courts. Since the matter is listed for interim orders before the Karnataka High Court, the Centre has filed a transfer plea. We request for it to be heard on Monday,” the counsel said. The bench agreed to list the plea next week.

The Act, passed by Parliament on August 21 during the Monsoon Session and receiving Presidential assent a day later, is the first central legislation to impose a nationwide ban on real-money online gaming, including fantasy sports. It categorises violations as cognisable and non-bailable offences.

Petitioners before the high courts have argued that the Act amounts to a blanket prohibition even on judicially recognised skill-based games, thereby infringing Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practise any profession or carry on trade or business.