AP bans online gaming, betting; asks Centre to block access to 132 apps, websites in state
New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh has banned online gaming, online betting and gambling, and has urged the Centre to direct all internet service providers to block access to 132 websites and apps, including Paytm First Game, Mobile Premier League and Adda52, that are providing such services in the state.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in a letter to IT and telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on October 27 raised concern over online gaming and online betting fast catching up as a severe social evil leading to youth getting involved in vices like gambling and betting from the comfort of their homes through their mobile phones and computers.
The chief minister submitted a list of 132 websites and apps which the state believes are involved in offering services like gaming, betting and gambling online.
The list, however, does not include Dream11, the main sponsor of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, which also provides online gaming and gives chance to its users to win cashback.
Reddy in the letter informed Prasad that the state has amended the AP Gaming Act 1974 "to include online gaming, online gambling and online betting as an offence through Andhra Pradesh (Amendment) ordinance 2020" and notified it on September 25, 2020.
"The main objectives of the amendment to the Act is to ban online gaming, online betting and online gambling. It is made a cognizable offence punishable under the Act. Moreover, the managing directors of all the online gaming companies and those involved in the running of the company are liable for punishment under the Act," Reddy said.
The chief minister said that online betting and gaming have led to widespread despair amongst the public suicides due to losing money, severe addiction and consequent violent behaviour in case of any restriction.
He said that under the new act, those assisting the operation of online games are liable for punishment and the role of internet service providers can be termed as assisting these firms in case they do not take steps to block access of concerned websites and apps.
"I would request you to direct all the internet service providers to block all online gaming, gambling and betting websites and apps from access in Andhra Pradesh," Reddy said in the letter.
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CJI calls for deepening technology and AI-based judicial architecture for faster justice delivery
Jabalpur (PTI): Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday called for deepening technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based judicial architecture, and using technological advancements to expedite justice delivery.
Stating that technology was the only effective answer to wastage of judiciary's time, he said the country's judiciary was committed to ensuring optimum utilisation of technological advancements and AI for the benefit of the common man.
The CJI was speaking at a programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on the topic of "Fragmentation to fusion, empowering justice via united digital platform integration". He also launched the MP high court's newly-developed digital platforms.
"Indian judiciary is committed to ensuring optimum utilisation of not only technological advancements that have been going on and which are integral part of our system since 1990, but also of latest designs of AI and how we can use them for the benefit of the common man," he said.
"We should think of deepening technology and AI-based judicial architecture. Technology is the only effective answer to wastage of judiciary's time," the CJI added.
He stressed the need to embrace technological advancement in judiciary for expediting the justice delivery system.
Praising Madhya Pradesh HC for developing these platforms, the CJI said that as stated by the Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, there was a need to roll out these technological advancements at the pan-India level.
A committee has been constituted by the Supreme Court on how to use AI for the benefit of the judicial system, especially in speedy disposal of cases, according to him.
Minister Meghwal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and MP High Court Chief Justice Sanjeev Sabharwal also spoke on the occasion.
VIDEO | Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: CJI Surya Kant says, "... The launch of this software should not be limited to Madhya Pradesh High Court. It should implemented in courts across the country. I will take up this initiative. An all-India digital platform can be created and the law… pic.twitter.com/wHdwrved0f
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