Card games offered on our platform are skill-based and have a dedicated fanbase in India. This section aims to explain their positive legal status as upheld by the Honorable Supreme Court of India. We also provide answers to common questions such as "Are card games for cash legal in India?" or "Is online card gaming legal in India?" and guide you on how to legally play card games in India.

Card games (like rummy and poker) are considered skill-based games in India and are protected under Article 191 of the Constitution of India. Playing card games for cash or otherwise is classified as a business activity because it requires significant skill.

In 1968, the Honorable Supreme Court of India ruled that card games are skill-based, relying on core concepts of Mathematics and Game Theory. Over the past fifty years, this decision has been widely accepted, with many enthusiasts engaging in these games to hone their skills.

In support of this landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India later observed that:

A competition where success depends significantly on skill cannot be termed 'gambling.'

While there may be an element of chance involved, card games are primarily skill-based and thus are classified as games of 'mere skill.'

Please note that the legal status in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Telangana is unclear. Therefore, we do not offer card games for cash in these states, and players from these regions are prohibited from playing for money until further notice from state governments.

However, players from these states can still enjoy card games for free.

Games of Chance:

Indian law defines gambling as wagering money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome, aiming to win money or other material goods. Games whose results are primarily based on luck or chance are considered games of chance and are prohibited by law.

Games of Skill:

Games of skill rely largely or exclusively on the players' abilities. Such games are legal because they require significant skill to play and win.

Card games offered on our platform are skill-based and thus legal to play. Winning a card game depends on intelligence, decision-making skills, and sharp memory, alongside interpersonal skills like keen observation, self-confidence, and emotional stability.

Are Games of Skill Protected Under Indian Law?

Yes! Games of skill are protected by law in India. In 1968, the Honorable Supreme Court of India declared that all mutually agreed competitions involving significant skills (including cash-based) are categorized as business activities and protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.

Except for a few states (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, and Telangana), playing card games for cash is legal in India.

Disclaimer

Online card games on the Magic Rummy platform involve an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk.