Legality

Is it legal to play rummy for cash on www.tajrummy.com?

Yes, it is completely legal to play online rummy for cash on Taj Rummy. This is because rummy is considered a game of skill, which is protected by the Constitution of India. Engaging in a game of skill with cash is regarded as a legitimate business activity and is safeguarded under Article 19[1](g) of the Constitution of India.

According to various Supreme Court rulings and the Gaming Acts of India, the following principles apply:

1. Gaming or gambling involves betting and wagering on games of chance.
2. Playing games of skill for cash does not amount to gambling.
3. Games of skill are not subject to the penal provisions of most gambling acts.
4. Rummy is classified as a game of skill.

So yes, it is perfectly legal to play rummy for cash on tajrummy.com as long as you are not playing from the states of Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim. As we gain more clarity on the laws in these states, we might consider extending our services to residents of these states as well.

What is a game of skill under Indian laws?

Supreme Court of India in 1996 defined a game of mere skill as follows:

1. The competitions where success depends on a substantial degree of skill are not "gambling" and
2. Despite there being an element of chance, if a game is preponderantly a game of skill, it would nevertheless be a game of "mere skill."

We, therefore, hold that the expression "mere skill" would mean a substantial degree or preponderance of skill.

Is rummy a game of skill?

The 1968 Supreme Court ruling that declared rummy to be a game of skill:

"Rummy, on the other hand, requires a certain amount of skill because the fall of the cards has to be memorized, and the building up of Rummy requires considerable skill in holding and discarding cards. We cannot, therefore, say that the game of Rummy is a game of entire chance. It is mainly and preponderantly a game of skill. The chance in Rummy is of the same character as the chance in a deal at a game of bridge."

Further, the Supreme Court in 1996 also stated that:

"A game of skill, on the other hand - although the element of chance necessarily cannot be entirely eliminated --is one in which success depends principally upon the superior knowledge, training, attention, experience, and adroitness of the player. Golf, chess, and even Rummy are considered to be games of skill. The Courts have reasoned that there are few games, if any, which consist purely of chance or skill, and as such, a game of chance is one in which the element of chance predominates over the element of skill, and a game of skill is one in which the element of skill predominates over the element of chance. It is the dominant element --"skill" or "chance" -- which determines the character of the game."

Do games of skill enjoy any other protection legally?

Yes, in 1957, the Supreme Court stated that prize competitions involving substantial skill are business activities protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.

What is gambling and how is it different from Skill Games under Indian laws?

Gambling or gaming has been defined by the Supreme Court in 1996 as betting and wagering on games of chance only. The Supreme Court, in this judgment, specifically excludes games of skill, irrespective of whether they are played for money or not, from the definition of gambling.

The exact quote from the 1996 judgment is as follows:

"The expression 'gaming' in the two Acts has to be interpreted in the light of the law laid down by this Court in the two1957 cases, wherein it has been authoritatively held that a competition which substantially depends on skill is not gambling. Gaming is the act or practice of gambling on a game of chance. It is staking on chance, where chance is the controlling factor. 'Gaming' in the two Acts would, therefore, mean wagering or betting on games of chance. It would not include games of skill like horse racing."

FFurther, the Public Gambling Act, which was the central law on gambling and most subsequent state laws on the subject, substantially states that "nothing in this Act shall apply to games of mere skill wherever played."

This is also mentioned in the 1996 Supreme Court judgment regarding Tamil Nadu laws: "In any case...Section 11 of the Gaming Act specifically saves the games of mere skill from the penal provisions of the two Acts."

States in India Where Rummy is Banned

While rummy enjoys popularity across much of India, it's essential to note that its legality varies from state to state. Several states have imposed restrictions or outright bans on the game due to concerns about its potential for gambling-related issues. As of today, the states that have banned rummy include:

Telangana: In 2017, the Telangana government amended the Telangana Gaming Act, 1974, to include online rummy within its purview. As a result, playing rummy for stakes or wagering in any form, including online, is prohibited in Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh: Similar to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh prohibits playing rummy for stakes or wagering, whether offline or online, under the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974.

Assam: The Assam Game and Betting Act 1970 prohibits the playing of rummy for stakes. However, social rummy games without stakes are not covered under this prohibition.

Nagaland: Nagaland has specific laws allowing games of skill, including rummy, to be played for stakes. However, these laws apply only to online games licensed by the Nagaland government and are subject to its regulations.

Sikkim: The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008, provides for licensing and regulating online gaming, including rummy. Licensed operators can offer rummy games within the state, subject to compliance with regulatory requirements.

It's important for players to be aware of the legal landscape regarding rummy in their respective states to avoid inadvertently violating any regulations. While some states have implemented bans, rummy remains legal and widely enjoyed in many other parts of India, subject to certain conditions and regulations.

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