Chennai- A 26-year-old man from Chennai, identified as Akash, ended his life after using his mother’s savings for cancer treatment to play online rummy. The incident has once again highlighted the devastating consequences of online gaming addiction in Tamil Nadu.
Akash, who worked as a catering delivery agent, reportedly became addicted to online rummy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living with his mother and brother following the loss of his father, Akash’s family relied on limited financial resources.
Recently, his mother discovered that ₹30,000, saved for her cancer treatment, had gone missing. Upon confronting him, Akash admitted to spending the money on online gaming. Distressed and reprimanded by his family, he left home on Friday evening, taking his mobile phone with him. Despite frantic efforts by his family to locate him, Akash’s body was tragically found on their terrace the next morning.
The Kottupuram Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.
This tragedy adds to the alarming rise in suicides linked to online gaming and financial fraud in the state. In the past four years, Tamil Nadu has reported 48 such deaths, raising serious concerns about the impact of online betting platforms.
The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA), established under the 2022 Act, has emphasized its commitment to addressing this issue. The legislation bans online gambling, betting, and games of chance, imposing penalties that include imprisonment of up to three months and fines of up to ₹5,000. Additionally, the law prohibits financial institutions and payment gateways from processing transactions related to online gambling and restricts advertising of such activities.
Citizens can report incidents or provide suggestions on regulating online gaming via the official TNOGA portal or email at tnoga@tn.gov.in.
Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president, Anbumani Ramadoss, has called on the state government to implement stricter measures against online games like rummy, which he claims are pushing young people to desperation and suicide.