SUMMARY
- Protests erupted in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, on October 16, calling for a ban on online rummy games.
- Activists from Namma Karnataka Sene alleged that hundreds of youths were becoming addicted to gambling through these platforms.
- In February 2024, Karnataka’s Home Minister promised measures to curb online gaming and cricket betting.
Protests erupted in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, on October 16, as a social activist group, Namma Karnataka Sene, rallied outside the District Collector’s Office, calling for a ban on online rummy games. The protesters expressed concern over the rising number of youths engaging in real-money gambling on online platforms, warning that many were becoming addicted to such games.
The protest comes amid broader concerns in the state about the impact of online gaming and gambling. In February, Karnataka’s Home Minister Gangadharaiah Parameshwara had promised that the state would implement rules to curb online gaming and cricket betting, which have also faced backlash for fostering addiction and financial losses.
