The Union Government has moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of multiple petitions pending in different High Courts that question the constitutional validity of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

Appearing before a bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, counsel for the Centre urged that the transfer petition be listed urgently, pointing out that the matter is due for hearing before the Karnataka High Court on Monday, where an interim relief against the Act has been sought. The bench accepted the request and agreed to list the plea early.

At present, the legislation is under challenge before the Delhi High Court, Madhya Pradesh High Court, and Karnataka High Court. The common grievance raised in these petitions is that the Act imposes a blanket ban on online games, including those which involve skill-based gaming and e-sports, thereby restricting activities that courts have previously recognised as falling within the ambit of protected trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

The Online Gaming Act, aimed at regulating and prohibiting online gaming activities, was passed by Parliament on August 21, 2025, and received Presidential assent on August 22. The petitions allege that in its current form, the Act fails to draw a distinction between games of chance and games of skill, resulting in disproportionate curbs on legitimate business activities.