Overview
- The Union government has asked the Supreme Court to transfer constitutional challenges to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 from the Karnataka, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh high courts.
- Chief Justice B. R. Gavai agreed to list the Centre’s transfer plea for Sept. 8 after the government also requested a stay on all related high court proceedings until the transfer is decided.
- The petitions were filed by Head Digital Works (A23) in Karnataka, Bagheera Carrom in Delhi and Clubboom11 Sports & Entertainment in Madhya Pradesh.
- The Act imposes a nationwide ban on real‑money online games and related advertising, with penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 crore for service providers.
- Formal notification and rule‑making are still pending, and courts have taken up initial hearings without granting interim relief as the Solicitor General indicated notification could occur soon.