By The Sampadak Express
An online gaming company, Playgames 24X7 Private Limited, told the Madras High Court on Thursday (March 27, 2025) that it is willing to limit real money game (RMG) play to 19 hours per day to address health concerns. However, the company opposed the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority’s (TNOGA) insistence that a five-hour “blank period” for RMG be imposed strictly between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Appearing before Justices S.M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Playgames, questioned the rationale behind the mandatory midnight-to-5 a.m. restriction. He argued that the health concerns cited by TNOGA could apply to any activity, not just RMG, and that the ban should be more flexible in its timing. He proposed that the “blank hours” could be imposed at any time of day, not solely at night.
Rohatgi also challenged TNOGA’s regulations as disproportionate and arbitrary, suggesting that the same health risks could apply to other activities like watching television during late hours. Despite these objections, he assured the court that his client would comply with a 19-hour play limit, provided the blank period could be adjusted.
In addition, Rohatgi requested TNOGA relax its requirement for Know Your Customer (KYC) verification using only Aadhaar OTP, suggesting other forms of identification, such as a driving license or passport, be accepted for verification.
The court also heard that the gaming company already enforces safeguards to prevent minors from playing RMG and has set monetary limits for players.
Following Rohatgi’s arguments, senior counsel Sajjan Poovayya was set to represent other online gaming companies, while senior counsel C. Aryama Sundaram was expected to present further arguments. Advocate General P.S. Raman, assisted by Arvind Srevatsa, is anticipated to respond on behalf of the State and TNOGA.
