Playing cards for fun has always been a part of the Indian tradition and it is a regular affair to indulge in playing cards every day. The game has now transitioned online due to rapid advancement of technology and has players of all categories playing it.
With the availability of online rummy, people of all ages get an opportunity to play in the comfort of their homes. Today well-known rummy platforms are offering a whole new world of experiences with attractive offers, cash rewards and healthy competition due to the wide range of players that play the game. However, rummy also brings along some apprehension because people tend to think of it as a game of chance. They worry if the game is actually legal to play in India. Here’s what the reality is.
Concept of ‘game of skill’
Before you try to understand the legality of Indian Rummy, you’ll need to know the concept of ‘game of skill’. As per law, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 does not apply to a “game of skill.” But what does the term “game of skill” mean?
A game of skill is a game where the result is determined primarily by the player’s skill and not by chance or luck. A game of chance on the other hand is one where the outcome is decided by chance usually with the help of some device such as spinning tops, playing cards, rolling dice, roulette wheels, or numbered balls drawn from a container. In a game of chance, there may be some involvement of skill, but chance plays a major role in determining its result. When it comes to the game of skill, there may be chance at play to a certain extent, but skill is the essential element that determines its outcome.
Online rummy is legal to play
People often resist cash tournaments because they are worried about the legal repercussions. However, remember that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has given the game legal status. The Supreme Court has ruled that rummy is a game of skill and not a game of chance. Therefore, it is legal to play rummy online for real money. Playing a game of skill like rummy is considered a business activity from a legal point of view, and such activity of playing a game of skill with cash is safeguarded by Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.
As an exception and notwithstanding the decision of the Supreme Court, there are various states with their state laws prohibiting the playing of online rummy for real cash. They include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Assam.
Apart from being legal, how safe is online rummy?
Online rummy gives you numerous chances to win cash prizes, rewards and bonuses. But how safe is it to play the game on the internet? ‘Is my money safe online?’, ‘Will the game be played fairly?’, ‘Is my information going to remain safe?’ are questions that players often have.
Rest assured that certified online rummy apps and portals like Junglee Rummy have integrated advanced and highly secure features for online payments. They enable players to play real money games and win cash prizes in a secure environment.The payment options include netbanking, UPI and e-wallets. Trusted rummy apps are safeguarded with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which makes the payments absolutely secure. Also, the winning amount is automatically credited to your account without any hassle. Further, you must also note that online rummy ensures that any likelihood of conflict due to human error in dealing money is removed, which commonly happens when rummy is played in person.
If you’re wondering about how fairly cards are distributed in online rummy, rummy platforms have a solution for that as well.
From the shuffling of cards to their dealing and selection of the joker, everything is done by full automation. Moreover, the removal of human intervention makes the game far more fair and reliable than when played with physical cards.
The automation system that ensures automation in online rummy is called the Random Number Generator (RNG). It is a software program that is used by all certified and authentic rummy websites and apps. The software also undergoes verification by international labs. Hence, with an RNG in place, you can be sure of getting absolutely random and unpredictable cards during card distribution. Remember, in any scenario, it is impossible to guess the result an RNG will generate in any rummy game.
Another step that rummy platforms take to ensure responsible gaming is to keep a check on your playing limits. Activities of players are closely monitored and players are alerted with a notification if they start showing any form of compulsive behavior. You also get an option to set your daily and monthly deposit limits to prevent any impulsive spends. They also have a KYC system to prevent under-age players from opening accounts and playing real money games.
Conclusion
To conclude, the various judgments of the Supreme Courts and High Courts in India rule that the game of rummy is a game of skill rather than a game of chance and a game of skill is absolutely legal to play for real money in India. Moreover, certified rummy apps and websites ensure that the players get a secure, safe and healthy gaming environment and they play without any worries.
