Telangana Governor approves Gaming Amendment Bill

Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan has given his assent to the Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Bill, 2017 on 1st December, following which the Bill was published in the official gazette on 2nd December. Thღe new Gaming Amendment Act now has the force of law, effective 2nd December 2017.

The Gaming Amendment Bill, passed by and the , amends the and incorporates the changes in the Gaming Act brought by two ordinances ꦦin and 2017.

Among the significant changes brought about by the new Act (and previously the orꦯdinances), to cover online gaming, a new term cyber space has been inserted in one of the clauses meant to define gaming. Further, ౠin the explanation of Section 2(2), it has been clarified that gaming includes any act of risking money on an uncertain event, including on a game of skill.

Further, offences under the new law have been made non-bailable and cognisable. Among ot🔯her significant chan𒊎ges, a new Section 3A has been inserted wherein in case any offences are conducted by companies, any person incharge of and responsible to the company, including the directors and managing directors have been made liable.

Importantly, Section 15 of the original Act exempting games of mere skill from the ambit of gambl🐠ing has been deleted and a new provision has been inserted which gives the state government the power to issue orders to remove difficulties in implementation of the Act.

With ♏the Gaming Act now coming into force, online rummy companies𝄹 will once again have to file amended pleas before the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of the new law. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on or around 18th January, 2018.