In this 21st century, all thanks to new technology, the online version of many card games were launched. This also included rummy games online. In a short period of time, they became popular. As of 2022, there are almost half a century of rummy platforms in India that offer online rummy services. But in the beginning, there were only a select few rummy platforms like KhelPlay Rummy, which started in 2012. At that time, the law wasn’t clear about the legality of playing online games in India. But as the game started getting popular, as more and more people started playing rummy online, the debate began whether online rummy is legal or not.
One of the big reasons why this debate began, is because rummy involved real money. Players win lots of real cash as they play online rummy cash games. Thankfully, our justice system gave a clear distinction between what is legal and what is not, by clearly defining ‘games of skills’ and ‘games of chance’. Let us know first what are these.
Games of Chance
In these types of games, you hardly need any skills. The outcome of most such games is determined by a randomizing variable and pure luck. Usually, players are needed to bet money as they press a button or select a number, and then they hope to land on their desired position. In such games, you will find any one of these objects – numbered balls, rolling dice, roulette wheels, or spinning tops.
Games of Skills
Here, the result of the game is not dependent on any chance or luck, but purely on the skills of the player. The skills could be mental or physical. In some playing card games, a player needs quite a few mental skills and needs good practice to be a good player in winning more often. Games of skills don’t fall in the category of betting and gambling games.
Rummy is a Game of Skill
The constitution of India has declared the rummy game as a ‘game of skill’. In the year 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that rummy is a game of skill, and playing rummy does not amount to gambling. Since then, various high courts have quoted the Supreme court’s decision and stated that any law enforcement agencies or authorities cannot interfere in rummy cash games. Multiple high court judgements have inferred that offering and playing games of skills is a fundamental right under the Indian constitution, and hence, games of skills cannot be prohibited.
After knowing all of this, let us come back to the question in the title. So, playing the rummy card game is legal or not? The overwhelming answer is – YES. It is completely LEGAL to play rummy in India. Here is a summary of a ruling from a High Court:
Rummy requires a specific amount of skill as the fall of the playing cards needs to be memorized. Building sets, sequences, and discarding cards requires skill. Thus, we cannot say that Indian Rummy is a game of chance entirely.
A Couple of Conditions
Although rummy is legal to play in India, not anyone can play and not anywhere. People below the age of 18 are not allowed to play rummy online as the game involves real cash prizes. The rummy platforms themselves prohibit minors below the age of 18 from even registering.
Even though the Supreme Court considers playing online rummy cash games legal in India, still there are some states that don’t allow card games like rummy to be played within their boundaries. As of December 2022, you cannot play online Indian rummy in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim & Telangana.
Conclusion
So, let’s hope that it is crystal clear to you about the legality of rummy in India. If you are above 18 years old and live in states not mentioned above, then it is legal for you to play online rummy. Now, if you meet anybody who thinks the opposite, you can do your bit by enlightening them about the legality of the rummy game and helping dispel the myth that playing rummy is illegal. Because playing rummy is totally legal in India.
