Rummy A Game Of Skill Or Chance? Bombay HC Asks Maha Govt, Google India, Gaming Platforms

The High Court has sought response from the Maharashtra government, Google India, online gaming platform to file affidavits explaining if "Rummy" is a game of skill or chance.

A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a ban on online Rummy games.

Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government, Google India, online gaming platform to file affidavits explaining if "Rummy" is a game of skill or chance. A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a ban on online Rummy games.

The High Court division bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay while hearing a PIL seeking to ban online Rummy games, has sought response from the Maharashtra government, Google India, and gaming platforms Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle to to file an affidavit spelling out if "Rummy" is a game of skill or chance, the LiveLaw reported. 

The PIL has sought a direction to the Maharashtra government to take action against these apps, citing their detrimental impact on the youth. It has been argued that games of chance rely solely on luck, whereas games of skill require knowledge, experience, and analytical ability. The PIL contends that online platforms primarily operate on chance, making them unlawful under current legislation.

The PIL further adds that while games of skill may be considered legal in some states, games of chance like those offered by Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle are illegal in India.

The petitioner has further argued that such online games are against the Public Gambling Act, 1867, Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 and the Bombay Wager Act.

The PIL seeking to ban online Rummy games has been filed by one Ganesh Ranu Nanaware, a social worker from Solapur, Maharashtra.

The PIL further highlights the role of celebrity endorsements in promoting these apps and the need for more response from Google India, which it said continues to host these gaming platforms despite legal notices. Nanaware seeks a court order to ban the apps and halt Google India’s server support to the gaming platform.

Today, the Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government, Google India, online gaming platforms Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle to file an affidavit explaining if the game of "Rummy" is a game of skill or chance.