The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur recently granted interim relief to SBN Gaming Network Pvt. Ltd., the operator of the SportsBaazi platform, in a legal challenge against state-imposed blocking orders.
The company had faced a directive from Chhattisgarh authorities ordering telecom and internet service providers to restrict access to its website within the state. SportsBaazi, however, continues to operate in all other parts of India until the court’s next hearing.
Interim Directive
Presiding over the case, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad issued an interim injunction preventing SportsBaazi from functioning only within Chhattisgarh. The court instructed that the platform be blocked via a “Gio block,” effectively cutting off access for users in the state. Outside Chhattisgarh, the website and app remain fully accessible until further orders.
Procedural Fairness Concerns
The Court took note of serious procedural lapses in the state’s handling of the matter. Despite blocking SportsBaazi nationwide, authorities “did not provide prior notice or an opportunity for the petitioner to be heard,” raising questions about fairness and due process. Such unilateral action, the court observed, violated basic principles of natural justice.
Jurisdictional Distinction
A key point in the ruling was the differentiation between betting and gambling (governed by List-2, the State List) and skill-based gaming (regulated under the IT Act, which falls within List-1, the Union List). Justice Prasad noted that while states possess the power to regulate gambling, they “may not have jurisdiction” to restrict platforms operating legally under central legislation. This separation underscores the limited authority of state governments over platforms classified as offering skill-based games.
“Game Of Skill” Classification
Central to SportsBaazi’s defense is the nature of its flagship offering—“Rummy.” The Court affirmed that the app’s gameplay involves significant elements of strategy, mutation, and combination, reinforcing its status as a “Game of Skill” rather than a game of chance. This classification places SportsBaazi outside the ambit of prohibitions applicable to pure gambling activities.
Challenge To The May 5 Directive
The company’s petition specifically contests the May 5, 2025 order issued by the Inspector General of Police (Technical Service), Chhattisgarh. That directive cited Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act and regional gambling statutes as justification for the block. Represented by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, SBN Gaming Network argued that the action “was arbitrary, lacked due process,” and exceeded the territorial jurisdiction of the state.
Implications
With interim relief secured, the case will return to the Bilaspur High Court for a detailed hearing on merits. Observers note that this decision could set an important precedent for other skill-based gaming platforms facing similar state-level restrictions. Should the court ultimately uphold SportsBaazi’s position, it may curb the ability of individual states to unilaterally block online platforms that operate under central laws and enjoy pan-India reach.
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