Karnataka HC defers hearing on online gaming law pending clarity on SC hearing

The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned till September 11 the hearing on the writ petition filed by Head Digital Works, the parent company of online gaming platform A23, challenging the Act of Parliament banning online real-money games.

Justice BM Shyam Prasad adjourned the case after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Centre had filed a petition in the apex court seeking transfer of pending petitions in high courts on the subject before itself.

Besides Karnataka, petitions on the subject are pending before the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh high courts.


The petitions challenge the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans all forms of online real-money gaming in India.

The online gaming bill, introduced in parliament and assented to by President Droupadi Murmu, has put an end to the real money gaming businesses in the country.

The government hailed it as a landmark move that would shield citizens from the menace of online money games while promoting and regulating other kinds of online games.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, on August 21, said the law highlighted India’s commitment towards becoming a hub for gaming, innovation, and creativity. It would encourage e-sports and online social games, while at the same time protecting society from the harmful effects of online money games, he added.