File Affidavit Explaining How Online Rummy Is 'Game Of Skill' And Not Chance: Bombay High Court To State

The petitioner seeks to ban Rummy on the grounds that it is a game of 'chance', which amounts to 'gambling'. The petition states that the apps such as Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle are 'online gambling, which is a banned offence under the Public Gambling Act, 1867 the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 and the Bombay Wager Act.

The petitioner prays that the State should ban the online game and that Google should not provide servers to Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle.

The petition states that lakhs of people are addicted to these 'gambling apps' and that they are dangerous to the public at large. It is also stated that many celebrities are advertising these apps and their fans are getting addicted to the game, losing their money and committing suicide.

Today, during the hearing, the respondents argued that the PIL is not maintainable and requested the Court to hear the issue of maintainability before issuing notices. It was argued that various other High Courts have already held that rummy is a game of skill and not a chance.

A Division Bench of Devendra Kumar Upadhayay and Justice M. M. Sathaye heard the matter. The Court asked the respondents (State, Google, Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle) to file affidavits on the maintainability of the petition and also detailing how online rummy is a game of skill rather than a game of chance.

“Let a short affidavit be filed by the respondents on the issue of maintainability and also stating as to how online rummy is a game of skill and not a game of chance.”

Additionally, the petitioner also filed Interim Applications (IA), where he sought to implead Sachin Tendulkar and other celebrities who have advertised for Rummy.

Reading the Interim application, Chief Justice remarked “What is all this? Don't dilute the petition. Instead of espousing the cause, you are giving a dent to it…Why have you moved the application? To get your name published in the newspaper?..That you impleaded Sachin Tendulkar?...Let there be a debate whether rummy is a game of skill or game of chance..let that issue be debated. ”

After this, the petitioner sought to withdraw the Interim application. The Court granted liberty to withdraw the application. It said, “IA is withdrawn as not pressed.”

Case title: GANESH RANU NANAWARE VS STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS (CRPIL/17/2024 [Criminal])