The Madras high court, on Thursday, overturned the government’s ban on online rummy and poker. According to the court, the ban can still be enforced for games of chance, but it should not apply to rummy and poker, which are
considered games of skill.
The All India Gaming Federation, Gameskraft, Games24x7, Junglee Rummy, and A23 were among the petitioners who argued that while the game is legally permissible when played physically, it becomes illegal when played online. Additionally, they cited a Supreme Court judgment that recognises rummy as a game of skill.
Talking about the decision, Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation, said, “By reiterating that online rummy and online poker are games of skill, this decision by the Madras High Court is yet another validation of what the online skill gaming industry has always maintained in relation to online skill games being a legitimate business activity protected under the Constitution of India.This also adds to a long line of judgments from the Supreme Court, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu High Courts upholding the legitimacy of such games.”
Moreover, Madras High Court quashed the Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Act of 2021 in August 2021, which banned online betting games including rummy and poker. Several states had imposed similar bans, which were later overturned by the High Courts. In February 2022, Karnataka High Court quashed the provisions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021, which sought to ban online rummy in the state.
“The verdict today by the Madras High Court holding online Rummy and Poker as games of skill is yet another validation for the legitimate online skill gaming industry. Time and again, the Indian judiciary has struck down provisions seeking blanket prohibitions on skill gaming as Ultra Vires in the constitution. A forward-looking policy has the potential to significantly drive and support the growth of this emerging sector. Central as well as state governments have realised the sector’s potential as an employment and revenue generator and this decision will further investor confidence, encourage and foster innovation,” Anuraag Saxena, CEO, E-Gaming Federation, added.