Legality
Is it legal to play rummy with cash on JungleeRummy.com?
Is It Legal to Play Rummy for Cash on Shetty Play Zone?
Yes, it is completely legal to play online rummy for cash on Shetty Play Zone. Rummy is considered a game of skill and is protected by the Constitution of India.
Rummy is classified as a game of skill by the Supreme Court of India. In 1968, the Court ruled that rummy is a game of skill, and in 1996, it further clarified that competitions where skill plays a significant role, even if chance is involved, are not considered gambling. As such, playing a game of skill for cash is legally recognized under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution as a business activity.
However, players from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Telangana are not allowed to participate in real money rummy games on Shetty Play Zone, as the laws in these states prohibit online rummy for cash. Players from these states can still enjoy free practice games. We may allow cash games and tournaments in these states if the laws change or become clearer in the future.
Is Rummy a Game of Skill?
Yes, rummy is considered a game of skill, or “mere skill,” by the courts of law. Games of skill do not fall under the category of betting and gambling, which means rummy is excluded from the laws that prohibit gambling, with the exception of a few states in India.
Legal Rulings on Rummy as a Game of Skill
The courts have ruled that rummy is not purely based on chance. For example, one ruling from the high court stated:
“Rummy requires a certain amount of skill because the fall of the cards has to be memorized, and building up a winning hand requires considerable skill in holding and discarding cards. Therefore, we cannot say that rummy is a game of entirely chance. It is primarily and overwhelmingly a game of skill. The chance in rummy is similar to the chance in a game of bridge.”
Another key ruling came in 1967, in the Supreme Court case State of Andhra Pradesh vs K. Satyanarayan. The Court confirmed that rummy is not a “game of entire chance,” and instead, it is “mainly and preponderantly a game of skill.”
Games of Chance vs. Games of Skill
Under Indian law, gambling is defined as wagering on activities that rely primarily on chance. Any game where the outcome is mostly determined by luck or random factors is classified as a game of chance and falls under the category of gambling.
On the other hand, games of skill are those where the results are mainly influenced by the abilities and strategies of the players. These games do not involve betting on chance, and as such, they are considered legal since they require skills to play effectively.
Rummy is completely legal to play, as it is classified as a game of skill. To succeed in rummy, you need intelligence, strategic decision-making, sharp memory, and a keen sense of observation to track your opponents’ moves. So, you can confidently play online rummy, hone your skills, and challenge your opponents on platforms like Shetty Play Zone, where your expertise will help you win.
Are Games of Skill Legally Protected?
Yes! The Supreme Court of India, in a 1957 ruling, affirmed that competitions involving significant skill, including cash competitions, are considered business activities. These activities are legally protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution. As a result, rummy, being a game of skill, is legal to play across India, with the exception of a few states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Telangana—where certain restrictions apply. In these states, the legality of playing rummy for cash may differ, but in the rest of the country, rummy is fully protected and legal.