The Allahabad High Court rules that poker and rummy are skill-based games, not forms of gambling

The Allahabad High Court has delivered a landmark ruling declaring poker and rummy as games of skill rather than gambling. This decision, made by a division bench consisting of Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Manjeev Shukla, came in response to a petition by DM Gaming Private Limited under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The petitioner had challenged a previous order from the Agra City Commissionerate that denied them permission to operate poker and rummy as part of a gaming unit. The main legal issue was whether these games could be classified as gambling or recognized as skill-based. The petitioner argued that the denial of permission, issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Agra on January 24, 2024, was based on the presumption that these games could disturb public peace or be considered gambling.

Citing past rulings by the Supreme Court and other High Courts, the petitioner’s counsel maintained that poker and rummy are games of skill. The High Court agreed, ruling that authorities should not deny permission based on speculation. The bench stressed that any refusal to allow recreational gaming must be based on concrete evidence, not conjecture.

The court directed the concerned authority to reconsider the matter and provide a reasoned decision after hearing the petitioner. This process is to be completed within six weeks. The court also emphasized that while permission could be granted, authorities retain the right to monitor the premises for illegal gambling activities.