Online games: Kerala high court issues notices to Kohli, Tamannaah

KOCHI

: The

Kerala high court

on Wednesday directed for issuing notices to cricketer Virat Kohli and film actors

Tamannaah

and Aju Varghese on a PIL seeking a ban on online games, including

Rummy

.

A division bench led by chief justice

S Manikumar

sought the views of the cricketer and the actors after considering a PIL filed by Pauly Vadakkan of Thrissur seeking steps to curb online gaming as the number of users in the state is increasing rapidly.

It is alleged in the petition that online games are being played in the state using the loophole that such games are not included under the provisions of Kerala Gaming Act, 1960. As the chances of winning are low, there have been instances where people who have lost money have ended their lives, the petition said.

However, common people are being attracted to online games as celebrities and movie stars are promoting them by appearing in advertisements, the petitioner alleged. Recommendations have been made for regulating online gaming in many states, including by several high courts. In such circumstances, restrictions should be brought in for online gaming in Kerala also, the petitioner has demanded.