Gaming corporations flag mass layoffs as SC pushes listening to to November

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard a batch of petitions difficult the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, a legislation that crippled the actual cash gaming trade. The legislation bans all types of video games each ability and likelihood if performed for stakes.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Okay.V. Vishwanathan heard the petitions filed by gaming corporations, together with Head Digital Works, the mum or dad firm of real-money gaming platform A23, Clubboom 11 Sports and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, Bagheera Carrom (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. and others. The apex courtroom’s transfer follows weeks of authorized uncertainty for on-line gaming operators, who argue that the brand new legislation is crippling the sector.

Aryama Sundaram, senior counsel showing on behalf of Head Digital Works, made a fervent request that the issues be listed for closing listening to on the earliest because the enterprise of the petitioners has come to a standstill and lots of workers have been laid off. He steered that the matter be taken up for closing disposal after completion of pleadings somewhat than listening to on interim aid, noting that arguments on interim aid would inevitably cowl the identical floor.

Justice Pardiwala queried whether or not the problems within the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka authorities’s appeals within the Gameskraft batch of instances would overlap with this matter and if that will have any bearing right here. The counsels averred that to the extent of legislative competence, it might have a bearing, however there are different grounds of problem to the laws. Justice Pardiwala verbally remarked that it might be higher if the matter is talked about earlier than Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India and that it might be fascinating for a similar mixture (Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan) that heard the Gameskraft batch additionally hear this matter.

The Centre had earlier sought the switch of all associated issues to the Supreme Court, citing the necessity for uniform adjudication. On Friday, the bench allowed this request, consolidating petitions that had been pending earlier than the Delhi, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.

The judges had directed that data from all three courts be transferred digitally to the Supreme Court inside one week. Importantly, Justice Pardiwala had clarified that any contemporary petitions filed in different courts difficult the Online Gaming Act should even be transferred on to the apex courtroom.

“If there are any challenges to the validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, the same must not be entertained and must be transferred to the Supreme Court,” the bench acknowledged.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union authorities, argued in favor of consolidation, noting that the identical bench had beforehand thought-about related petitions. “It would be much easier to conclude the matter if they are heard together,” he submitted.

Sundaram, showing for the trade, additionally supported the transfer, saying that bringing all instances beneath one roof and counting on digital transfers would make proceedings quicker and extra environment friendly.

Ultimately, the courtroom ordered that pleadings within the batch of instances be accomplished and the matter be listed for closing listening to after the Diwali trip. The instances will likely be taken up on November 4, 2025, prime of the board.

The petitions spotlight the rising friction between India’s on-line gaming trade and regulatory authorities. Head Digital Works, which runs A23, initially approached the Karnataka High Court, whereas Bagheera Carrom (OPC) Pvt. Ltd., a member of the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), moved the Delhi High Court. In Madhya Pradesh, Clubboom 11 Sports and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., related to the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), filed its personal problem.