Indian courts have repeatedly held that rummy is a game of skill, not chance. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROG Act 2025) regulates online gaming at the central level, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as the regulator. State-level rules still apply, and several states restrict paid skill-game entry.
The PROG Act 2025 regulates online gaming at the central level. The Act names the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as the regulator and sets rules for verification, advertising and player protection.
The Supreme Court of India, in K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1996), held that rummy is a game of skill, not chance, when played in the 13-card format with a closed stock and discard pile. Subsequent High Court rulings have affirmed the classification.
MeitY is the central regulator for online gaming under the PROG Act 2025. State-level regulators continue to apply state rules, and several states restrict paid skill-game entry.
Even where the PROG Act 2025 applies, state-level gambling statutes continue to apply. Several Indian states restrict paid skill-game entry.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Nagaland have at various times restricted paid skill-game entry. The current status of each state is published by the operators. Read the operator terms before you deposit.
Most other Indian states do not currently restrict paid skill-game entry. The skill classification is not a federal pre-emption; state rules continue to apply.
Fortune Pro is an editorial publication. We do not host tables, take stakes, or process deposits. The Play now button directs adult readers to a regulated skill-game platform operated by a third party; we earn a referral fee when readers choose to register.
Last updated: 2026-08-11.