spot_img
spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Bombay HC: PIL against online poker stands withdrawn

Published on:

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a local teacher Munawar Ahmed seeking action against online and offline poker games in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court was dismissed by the court on 8th June, 2022. A similar petition on whether ludo is a game of skill or chance is pending before the Bombay High Court.

Ahmed had filed a petition against online poker websites such as PokerBaazi, 9stacks
and Pokerwale last year claiming that the games involve wagering and betting and
contravene the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 and as such are not games
of skill.

Also read: Refrain from playing ludo and rummy during office hours

However, keeping in mind the recent Madras High Court judgment which had struck
down a law banning online skill-based games for stakes and observed that poker was
a game involving skill, Ahmed chose to withdraw his petition. Subsequent to the Madras High Court decision, a similar decision was delivered by the Karnataka High Court. Currently, the state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have filed appeals against the decision of their respective High Courts

Also read Nashik: Farmer cheated of Rs 45 lakh in online gambling.

A division bench of the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) comprising Justices CV Bhadang and Bharat Deshpande allowed withdrawal of the petition while noting in the order that the merits of the petition or its contentions have not been examined by the court.

Related