SC Upholds State Power to Ban Betting on Skill Games

State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. Vs Junglee Games India Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. (Supreme Court India) The Supreme Court held that the Madras High Court and Karnataka High Court had adopted an unduly narrow interpretation of Entry 34 of List II, thereby restricting the powers intended to be conferred on State Legislatures to regulate or prohibit betting and gambling. The Court observed that even where games involve substantial skill, States are not powerless to regulate them if betting on such games poses serious threats to public welfare, public order, or public health. Betting on games of skill do...