Rummy is a game of skill as declared by the Supreme Court of India. Learn about the legal framework, court judgments, and state regulations.
Supreme Court Approved
Since 1968
Game of Skill
Not Gambling
Legally Protected
Under Article 19(1)(g)
"Rummy is not a game entirely of chance like the 'three card' game... The game of Rummy is a game of skill. The chance in Rummy is of the same character as the chance in a deal at a game of bridge."
- AIR 1968 SC 825
In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court established that rummy requires substantial skill including:
"A game of skill is one in which success depends principally upon the superior knowledge, training, attention, experience and adroitness of the player. A game of chance is one in which the element of chance predominates over the element of skill."
- AIR 1996 SC 1153
This judgment further reinforced that games requiring preponderant skill are protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution as legitimate business activities.
Rummy, Chess, Golf, Horse Racing
Success depends primarily on player's abilities
Three-card games, Dice games, Roulette
Outcome depends primarily on luck
Courts apply the "predominance test" - if skill predominates over chance, it's legal
While rummy is legal across India as per Supreme Court rulings, some states have specific regulations regarding online real money gaming.
Cash rummy is legal in these states:
And all other states not mentioned in restricted list
Cash games not available in:
AP Gaming Act, 2020
Telangana Gaming Act, 1974 (Amendment 2017)
Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling Act, 2015
State regulations on online gaming
Note: Free practice games are available in all states
High Court struck down ban on online rummy (2021). Currently legal to play.
High Court struck down ban on online rummy (2021). Legal to play.
High Court struck down ban (2022). Online rummy is legal.
⚖️ Legal Trend: High Courts consistently uphold rummy as a game of skill protected under constitutional rights.
Fundamental right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business
Citizens have the right to play games of skill for entertainment and prizes
Companies have the right to offer skill-based gaming platforms as legitimate business
State of Andhra Pradesh v. K. Satyanarayana - Rummy declared as game of skill
Dr. K.R. Lakshmanan case further solidifies skill games' legal status
Multiple High Court judgments uphold online rummy as legal skill game
State bans on online rummy struck down as unconstitutional
Online skill gaming ban quashed, rummy reaffirmed as game of skill
Online rummy continues to be legal and protected as a game of skill in most Indian states
Yes, playing rummy for real money is legal in India. The Supreme Court has declared rummy as a game of skill, which is protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. However, some states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Nagaland, and Sikkim) have specific restrictions on online real money gaming.
Rummy is fundamentally different from gambling because:
Yes, rummy winnings are subject to tax under Indian tax laws:
Yes, the legal principles that apply to offline rummy also apply to online rummy. Courts have consistently held that the medium (online or offline) doesn't change the nature of the game. If rummy is a game of skill offline, it remains a game of skill online.
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