Allahabad High Court Rules Poker and Rummy as Games of Skill, Not Gambling
- M.R Mishra

- Sep 6, 2024
- 2 min read
The Allahabad High Court recently delivered a landmark judgment stating that poker and rummy are games of skill, not gambling.
This ruling came in response to a petition filed by DM Gaming Private Limited, which challenged an earlier decision by the Agra City Commissionerate denying the company permission to run poker and rummy gaming operations. The denial was based on concerns that these games might disrupt public peace and be classified as gambling.
DM Gaming argued that the refusal lacked concrete evidence and was based on mere assumptions rather than facts. The company pointed out that both the Supreme Court and various high courts had previously ruled poker and rummy to be games of skill, not gambling. The court was asked to review whether these games could legally be categorized as gambling activities, which typically involve a greater degree of chance, as opposed to skill-based games.
The petitioner’s counsel emphasized that the denial by the Deputy Commissioner of Police was speculative, with no factual grounds to support the assumption that poker and rummy would disturb public order or promote gambling. According to the petitioner, such unsubstantiated assumptions should not be the basis for refusing permission to operate these games.
In its ruling, the court agreed with the petitioner, noting that authorities cannot deny permission for recreational gaming activities based on speculation alone. The judges stated that decisions regarding these games should be grounded in evidence, and any refusal must be justified with concrete facts. The court further directed the concerned authorities to reconsider the petition, give the company a fair hearing, and issue a new order based on reasoned judgment within six weeks.
The judgment reinforced the view that poker and rummy, when played for recreation and not as a means of gambling, are skill-based activities. However, the court also emphasized that while permission may be granted for these games, authorities are still responsible for monitoring the premises to ensure that illegal gambling activities do not occur under the guise of legitimate gaming.






The ruling on poker and rummy being games of skill is a big step. It’s about time courts recognized that not everything with money is gambling. There’s strategy, probability, and focus involved. Still, people need safe platforms to play on, not shady apps that take advantage. That’s where things like rich11 app come into play, offering licensed and transparent systems. It’s a mix of skill, fun, and fair play, which honestly is what players deserve. Don’t you think these rulings should now push regulators to create a consistent nationwide framework?
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