In a significant ruling today, the Karnataka High Court bench declared that the popular card game of Rummy cannot be considered gambling, irrespective of whether it is played with stakes or without stakes.
“Rummy whether played with stakes or without stakes is not gambling; There is no difference between offline/physical Rummy and Online/Electronic/Digital Rummy and both are substantially and preponderantly games of skill and not of chance,” the court held.
Justice SR Krishna Kumar held that Rummy, whether played online or physically, is substantially and preponderantly a game of skill and not chance. So, it cannot be known as a gambling game, regardless of stakes. Karnataka HC’s declaration comes as a major relief to Rummy enthusiasts and players across the state.
Online gaming platform Gameskraft has been relieved of a show-cause notice issued by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence, as the Karnataka High Court declared the notice as quashed.
The High Court had earlier issued a stay on a ₹21,000 crore tax notice against the company. The ruling was made as a part of the observation that Rummy, the game offered by Gameskraft, is not gambling whether played with stakes or without, and primarily relies on a player’s skills and decision-making abilities.
Stay tuned with us for all upcoming gaming news and other popular game news.
