Tamil Nadu Imposes Midnight Ban on Real-Money Gaming, Raising Fears of a Black Market

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:
The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) has introduced new regulations banning real-money online gaming between midnight and 5 AM, sparking criticism from experts who argue that the move could drive players toward illegal platforms.

While TNOGA maintains that gambling remains illegal at all times, critics warn that shutting down regulated platforms overnight may have unintended consequences. Abhay Raj Mishra, president of Public Response Against Helplessness and Action for Redressal (Prahar), cautions that the restrictions could push vulnerable players to unregulated and illicit gaming sites. He urges TNOGA to reconsider the ban, citing national security concerns, and calls for broader regulations that also address non-monetary video games.

Cyber law expert Anuj Agarwal, a Supreme Court Bar Association member and Chairman of the Centre for Research on Cyber Crime and Cyber Law, echoes these concerns. He argues that excessive restrictions on legal platforms could drive users to offshore gambling sites, which are harder to regulate. Instead of outright bans, he advocates for a balanced approach that combines regulation with community education.

Defending the measure, TNOGA Chairperson Md Nasimuddin emphasizes the importance of sleep and overall well-being. “Gaming at the expense of sleep is extremely harmful to both physical and mental health,” he states, referencing Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, which explores the impact of excessive smartphone use on mental health. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as a disorder, reinforcing TNOGA’s concerns.

India, home to over 568 million gamers, boasts the world’s largest gaming market. However, the absence of clear guidelines differentiating legal gaming platforms from illegal gambling sites remains a challenge. While many Indian states prohibit gambling, real-money skill-based games continue to be legally promoted.

To combat the rise of offshore gambling advertisements, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has partnered with industry federations such as the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and E-Gaming Federation (EGF). This collaboration aims to establish a monitoring cell to track and report unauthorized gambling promotions.

Despite the new restrictions, critics remain skeptical about whether banning late-night gaming will effectively curb illegal gambling or merely push players toward unregulated alternatives. In a further attempt to tighten regulations, the Tamil Nadu government has imposed strict age restrictions, barring individuals under 18 from playing real-money online games. The TNOGA (Real Money Games) Regulations, 2025, will mandate KYC verification during account creation to enforce these age limits.