Indian Court defines poker as gambling

The Gujarat High Court said that poker is gambling and cannot be permitted in the country.

Indian High Court in Gujarat determined on Monday that poker cannot be considered a game of skill as it is a gambling activity, therefore it is prohibited in the country. The Court received multiple petitions from different parties that wanted to offer poker in their facilities.

The petitioners justified the permission under the fact that there are states in India that define poker as a game of skill instead of gambling, and if there’s an element of skill involved, poker cannot be under the Prevention of Gambling Act. These parties cited judicial pronouncements and states where administrations allow the organisation of poker games.

The Indian Poker Association was one of the petitioners who said that poker cannot be considered gambling and that the gaming zones asking for permission should be allowed to organise poker tournaments.

Nevertheless, the High Court determined that the petitions were filed as criminal applications and the petitioners ended up withdrawing them in order to refile them on the civil side. The state government still opposed any permission to offer poker in Gujarat as they believe that it is gambling and that it has the potential to “ruin lives.”