Is Rummy Legal in India?

In India, card games are seen as a source of entertainment, especially rummy. Rummy is played across the country with great enthusiasm and is a major part during festivals when cousins and friends meet. The game has now gone online and online rummy has become a massive hit among the rummy enthusiasts in no time.

Although the game is loved across the nation, its legality has been questioned on many occasions; but the game has managed to prove its legality, as it is a game of skills and not luck. The Apex Court of India, Supreme Court has clearly stated that a game of skill is completely legal.

What is gambling?

Gambling is engaging in gambling activities online by betting on games and events to win money. Any gaming that takes place online is referred to as online gambling. This includes online casinos, poker, and betting on sporting events. Some gambling options are legal, and others are illegal, depending on the national environment. In India, where mobile technology advances quickly, more than 500,000 million people are regularly connected. Online gambling is one of the key industries to benefit from the fact that the internet has made it possible for Indians to access a variety of online platforms and products that were previously unattainable.

Gambling has been demonstrated in studies to have an addictive potential. Gamblers are compelled to keep playing, even if they cannot afford it, by their addiction. Gambling addiction or irresponsible behavior can lead to severe financial and social issues. Instead of the gambler's actions, problem gambling is typically defined by the harm done to the gambler or the environment in which the gambler lives.

How is Gambling different from Game of Skills?

In 1996, the Supreme Court defined gambling as betting and wagering on games that are purely based on luck or chance. The verdict from the Supreme Court excludes games of skills from the definition of gambling. A game of skill, irrespective of whether it is played for money or not, is completely legal. The quote from the Supreme Court’s judgement in 1996 is as follows:

"The expression 'gaming' in the two Acts has to be interpreted in the light of the law laid-down by this Court in the two1957 cases, wherein it has been authoritatively held that a competition which substantially depends on skill is not gambling. Gaming is the act or practice of gambling on a game of chance. It is staking on chance where chance is the controlling factor. 'Gaming' in the two Acts would, therefore, mean wagering or betting on games of chance. It would not include games of skill like horse racing"

The central law of gambling, the Public Gambling Act, states that “nothing in this Act shall apply to games of mere skill wherever played”.

Also Read: Rummy Luck or Skill

Laws and supreme court rulings about rummy?

The Indian Supreme Court determined 1968 that rummy is a fair game of skill. According to the Supreme Court's ruling, a game cannot be said to as a game of chance if talent is a significant factor in how it turns out. According to the court, Rummy is a game of skill, as it significantly depends on talent. Rummy required a significant level of skill. In the rummy case, Supreme Court determined in the Sathyanarayana case that it could not be classified as gambling. However, the court noted in its concluding words that if the game were played for stakes, the crime of gambling would be shown. The Madras High Court decided against the MCA based on this observation.

Does Rummy qualify as a Game of Skill?

In 1968 the Supreme Court declared rummy as a game of skill by stating:

"Rummy, on the other hand, requires a certain amount of skill because the fall of the cards has to be memorised and the building up of Rummy requires considerable skill in holding and discarding cards. We cannot, therefore, say that the game of Rummy is a game of chance. It is mainly and preponderantly a game of skill. The chance in Rummy is of the same character as the chance in a deal at a game of bridge."

In 1996, the Supreme Court stated:

"A game of skill, on the other hand - although the element of chance necessarily cannot be entirely eliminated --is one in which success depends principally upon the superior knowledge, training, attention, experience and adroitness of the player. Golf, chess and even Rummy are considered to be games of skill. The Courts have reasoned that there are few games, if any, which consist purely of chance or skill, and as such a game of chance is one in which the element of chance predominates over the element of skill, and a game of skill is one in which the element of skill predominates over the element of chance. It is the dominant element --"skill" or "chance" -- which determines the character of the game."

Is online Rummy legal in India?

Rummy, necessitates a high degree of skill, since the fall of the cards must be taught, and building up Rummy requires a high degree of ability in holding and discarding cards." the Supreme Court said in 1967. Thus, Rummy is not a game of chance. Skill dominates it. Rummy chance is like bridge deal chance."

Rummy requires expertise to remember cards, form sequences and sets with a plan, discard the sound cards, and consider the opponent's strategy. Rummy is a skill-based game; hence playing it online for money is permitted. Article 19 of the Indian Constitution allows organizing and playing skill games as a business.

Is it legal to play Rummy online?

On the other hand, residents of the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Nagaland, as well as Telangana, are not permitted to use the Online app to participate in rummy games. Therefore, if you do not come from any of the Indian states listed above but still like playing Rummy, you may download the online app and compete in a number of rummy cash tournaments to see how well you perform. Rummy may be played entirely legally and without risk on the online app. Even though amusement and relaxation are of the highest significance, particularly in these challenging times, it is of the utmost necessity to maintain responsible gaming at the forefront of your mind when participating in this exciting game.

Is rummy legal in all states of India?

Games that depend heavily on the player's talents to succeed might be called games of skills. Rummy is also a game of skill and does not fall within the gambling or betting category, as determined by the numerous court judgments; hence playing these skill games is lawful in India. According to several court decisions, playing rummy to win money is acceptable. Additionally, several states have passed legislation governing online rummy, further establishing the game's legality. Most rummy applications, like Gamezy, provide secure, quick, and optimized platforms for rummy fans to play the game and win money. The rummy card game is entirely allowed to play throughout India. Some of the rummy banned states in India are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana).

Is it legal to play rummy for cash on Rummy Bo?

Players of rummy can relax and have fun while participating in cash games. Select a reputable platform like the Rummy Bo app to play risk-free online. "Rummy necessitates a high degree of skill since the fall of the cards must be taught, and building up Rummy requires a high degree of ability in holding and discarding cards." the Supreme Court said in 1967. Thus, legal Rummy is not a game of chance. Skill dominates it. Rummy chance is like bridge deal chance."

Rummy requires expertise to remember cards, form sequences and sets with a plan, discard the sound cards, and consider the opponent's strategy. Rummy is a skill-based game; hence playing Rummy Bo Rummy online for money is permitted. Article 19 of the Indian Constitution allows organizing and playing skill games as a business.