The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has called upon the Tamil Nadu government to take action against online gambling, following the suicide of a youth in the Kallakurichi district allegedly due to debt incurred from online rummy losses, reported Tamil ABP Live. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss emphasized the urgency of seeking a permanent ban on online gambling applications, including Rummy and Poker, by appealing to the Supreme Court.
The recent incident involving the death of Jayaraman, a young man from Vandipalayam village, Ulundurpet, has raised concerns about the consequences of online gambling addiction reported The Hindu. Jayaraman’s suicide, attributed to mental distress because of financial losses and addiction to online rummy, is the fifth such tragic incident in Tamil Nadu since the Madras High Court’s ruling in November last year.
In response to this suicide, Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the state government’s inaction in addressing the crisis of online gambling-related suicides. He stated in his tweet, the need for the government to challenge the Madras High Court’s verdict, which exempted skill-based games like Rummy and Poker from the ambit of laws prohibiting online gambling.
Anbumani Ramadoss said it is of utmost importance to pursue a legal remedy through the Supreme Court to secure a ban on online gambling apps. He highlighted the urgency of the matter in light of the multiple suicides in the state. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to prioritize the prompt handling of the case and to actively advocate for a reversal of the High Court’s ruling in favour of online rummy.
The PMK’s appeal is due to concerns over online gambling addiction and its impact on people across Tamil Nadu with families affected by online gambling.