Gujarat Judges Halt Appeals for Poker in India

Two high-profile appeals were scheduled to be tackled in the courts of Gujarat concerning the
status of poker. The appeals stemmed from a 2017 decision where the Court has ruled that poker
is a game of chance rather than a game of skill. Consequently, this would mean poker would
remain illegal. However, the judges have adjourned the case, and rescheduled it on another date.
The Reason for the Appeal
Gujarat has a policy that games of skill could be legalized while games of chance remain illegal.
Poker remains to be illegal in the state of Gujarat.
Initially, poker club owner Samir Patel had petitioned the court to reclassify poker as a game of
chance. This would legalize the game in the state like how other games of skill have been
subsequently legalized. However, the High Court had adjourned hearing the arguments of the
case. This was not the first adjournment that the case has heard of. Petitions were already filed as
early as 2018, and the appeal was supposed to be heard on court last February 7. Unfortunately,
the High Court rescheduled the appeal yet again.
The Indian Poker Association also filed their petition, and it shall be relisted on February 14. The
other petition filed by Dominance Games is scheduled to be heard on March 11. It is expected,
though, that hearings regarding these appeals would not be entertained as per usual.
Poker in India – Inevitable
Even if there is intense legal drama as to the status of poker in India, it seems that India is seeing
some growth in terms of poker.
Earlier this month, Baadshah Gaming had announced its partnership with Connective Games in
bringing online poker gaming with a new interface to the local players. At the end of last year,
PokerHigh and Hippo52 had merged, bringing something new to the industry.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Indian billionaire and investor had said that some states in India are
having the same attitudes as some states in USA as to their reluctance of legalizing poker.
He further cites Goa as a region which has benefited from regulated casinos. While it is indeed
true that the postponements may be an obstacle to legalizing poker in the state, but that does not
mean that it is impossible. It would only be a matter of time before Gujarat legalizes the game,
leading to India building a larger network of poker players.
Currently, poker enthusiasts and club owners are merely hoping that the High Court will start
doing its job and hear the appeals regarding their 2017 decision.
Hopefully, when the time comes, the High Court would bring some good news.