New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred hearing on petitions filed by gaming companies challenging the law that banned money gaming to November.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan heard the matter briefly and said it would be taken up after the Diwali vacation.

Lawyers representing gaming companies, including lead petitioner Head Digital Works Private Ltd, sought interim relief, arguing that the law had shut down their businesses completely, forcing layoffs.

"This has national ramifications. We are in a position where our business is completely closed. There's no avenue to function, and employees have been laid off. It's a huge issue for us," senior advocate C.A. Sundaram told the court.

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