The Gujarat High Court is stepping in to resolve the issue of whether poker is considered a form of gambling or a game of skill in the state.
Last week, the Indian Poker Association (IPA), a group representing India’s poker players, filed a petition with the high court accusing the state government of authorizing law enforcement agencies to break up an IPA-hosted poker game at a local YMCA club in the city of Ahmedabad.
The IPA alerted the authorities of their plans to launch a seven-table poker space at the YMCA on October 5, and since no money is being wagered, the organizers did not apply for a “no objection certificate” (NOC) from the authorities. However, IPA leader KN Suresh said Anand Nagar police ordered him to stop his poker plans, and when he refused the warnings of facing “dire consequences,” the police raided the YMCA and prevented any shuffling up and/or dealing.
This prompted the group to file a petition, which claimed that IPA has an agreement with the YMCA Club “to start poker at its premises a month ago to promote the game and produce players who can represent India at international tournaments.”
The petition was filed through advocate Maulin Pandya, who claimed that the police’s action was “illegal” and “arbitrary,” since poker is considered to be a “game of skill,” meaning it is not covered under the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1987.
Now, the high court is asking the state government to clarify whether poker falls under gambling—which is illegal in the state—or a game of skill.
Gujarat’s High Court has previously dismissed charges brought against clubs in which rummy was played based on the skill game designation that rummy has been granted. Elsewhere, High Courts in Karnataka and Kolkata have ruled that clubs offering poker played as a game of skill didn’t require licenses.
