#games of skill

Karnataka High Court holds that registered recreational clubs offering skill-based games (e.g., carom, chess, rummy) are not 'places of public entertainment' under the Karnataka Police Act and cannot be compelled to obtain police licenses. The ruling clarifies that police powers do not extend to lawful recreational activities compliant with CCTV, identity verification, and no-stakes conditions.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that physical poker and rummy clubs cannot be prohibited under the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, without a formal notification classifying them as games of chance. The court held that police interference without due process violates the right to carry on trade under Article 19(1)(g), setting a precedent for operators facing arbitrary state action.