Preamble. —WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the Kerala Gaming Act, 1960, for the purposes hereinafter appearing;
Be it enacted in the Twenty-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Kerala Gaming (Amendment) Act, 1973.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
2. Amendment of section 8.—In section 8 of the Kerala Gaming Act, 1960 (20 of 1960) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), for the words "be liable to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees or to imprisonment not exceeding one month", the words "be liable to imprisonment which may extend to one month or to fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or to both" shall be substituted.
3. Insertion of new section 14A.—After section 14 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
"14A. Exemptions.—The Government may, if they are satisfied that in any game the element of skill is more predominant than the element of chance, by notification in the Gazette, exempt such game from all or any of the provisions of this Act, subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in the notification,"
4. Amendment of section 15.—In sub-section (2) of section 15 of the principal Act, for the words "Any police officer", the words "Any police officer not below the rank of a Sub Inspector of Police" shall be substituted.
5. Amendment of section 19.—In section 19 of the principal Act, for the words "Any police officer", the words "Any police officer not below the rank of a Sub Inspector of Police" shall be substituted.
