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Kerala High Court Refused To Stay Notification Banning Online Rummy For Stakes

The Kerala High Court refused to interfere with the Kerala government’s ban on online rummy. Four gaming companies based in the state challenged the Kerala High Court to review the law banning online rummy. However, the request was declined by the High Court bench headed by Justice N Nagaresh.

The petition was filed by Games24x7, Gameskraft Technologies Pvt Ltd., Junglee Games, and Head Digital Works. “Though the government had earlier exempted online rummy games from the provisions of the Act, it banned online rummy when the same was played for stakes, even though such games have been judicially held to be one of skill,” the plea said.

Along with this the petitioners also pointed out that the government’s notification also seeks to ban businesses that are offering online rummy. However, these businesses are protected by Article 19(1)(g) of the constitution. This would then mean that the notification of banning online rummy was a direct violation of Article 14 and 19(1)(g).

ALSO READ: Can The Central Government Make Uniform Laws For Rummy?

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was representing the online rummy companies also cited cases like the State of Andhra Pradesh vs K Satyanarayan and the Kerala Gaming Act that declares rummy as a game of skill. Advocate Santhosh Mathew, representing Gameskraft argued that the removal of the exemption for online rummy to be done through an amendment to the Act and can’t be done through an executive notification.

On behalf of the state, State Attorney, KV Sohan argued that states such as Tamil Nadu have also taken similar measures to ban online rummy. He pointed out that no stay or interim relief was granted by other High Courts. Along with this he went on to inform the High Court that the state also made the decision due to the high rates of suicide among online rummy players.

After the hearing, Justice Nagaresh expressed reluctance to stay the case. He directed the defendants to complete their pleadings on the next day of hearing which will be on 20 May, 2021. For more news and updates, keep reading  GutshotMagazine.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. 

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