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Legality of Gambling and Skill Games in India

Definition of Gambling

According to a 1996 Supreme Court ruling, gambling involves betting and wagering on games of chance. Games of skill, even when played for money, are explicitly excluded from this definition.

Games of Skill

The same 1996 Supreme Court judgment emphasizes that games substantially reliant on skill are not considered gambling. This includes games like horse racing.

Game of Skill in Indian Law

The Supreme Court of India, in 1996, defined a game of mere skill as one where success depends significantly on skill, even if chance plays a minor role.

Rummy as a Game of Skill

In 1968, the Supreme Court ruled that rummy is mainly a game of skill, given that players must memorize and strategically use cards. This judgment still holds.

Other Games of Skill

The legal system recognizes that games like golf, chess, and rummy are primarily skill-based. The dominance of skill or chance defines a game's character.

Legal Protection for Games of Skill

In 1957, the Supreme Court stated that prize competitions requiring substantial skill are protected as business activities under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution.

Playing Rummy on JungleeRummy.com

Playing rummy for cash on Nabob Rummy is legal because it is considered a game of skill and a protected business activity under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court's 1968 ruling confirms rummy's status as a skill game.

Restrictions by State Laws

It's important to note that some Indian states, such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, have specific laws that do not permit playing online rummy for real money. nabobrummy.com adheres to these state laws and doesn't allow players from these regions to participate in cash rummy games. However, free practice games are still available, and participation in cash games may be allowed in the future if state laws change or become clearer.