The judgment comes as the federal government implements the first phase of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules (PROGA) 2026, authorised on 1 May 2026.
Due to PROGA’s adoption, the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had asked the Supreme Court to provide clarity on whether the new federal framework superseded individual states’ autonomy to set and control gaming laws.
The states urged transparency on interpretations of PROGA relating to gaming categories such as rummy, poker and other skill-based games, arguing that state authorities should retain the power to intervene where gaming activities are deemed detrimental to public welfare.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court determined that states continue to hold legislative authority to regulate, restrict or prohibit online gaming activities where measures are enacted in the interests of..