SC's no to plea challenging laws banning online Rummy games

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea challenging the validity of three state laws banning online Rummy game played for stakes.
A bench headed by Justice Madan B lokur refused to hear the plea filed by 'Krida Sports and Games Private Limited', an online firm, which has sought direction to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments to allow it to run the game for stakes.
The Telangana government had issued two new ordinances amending the Telangana Gaming Act, 1974 to ban online gambling by adding new definition of 'cyber space' in the legislation, making betting and gambling through the internet illegal.

Subsequently, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh governments also made similar amendments banning online rummy for stakes.
The company moved the apex court saying its fundamental right was infringed.
However the Telangana government, in their counter affidavit, contended that addiction to online rummy game has affected various sections of society, including students and women.

It also said that the law has been well settled that writ jurisdiction cannot be invoked by a company against the state, claiming infringement of fundamental rights.
"It is evident from the above that rummy and online rummy when played for stakes, is creating a social menace affecting the life of students and women. It is causing an adverse impact on family life.

"The State was therefore compelled to enact the Ordinance pursuant to its constitutional responsibilities of enacting a just social order," Telangana said in its counter affidavit.
The state government also said that the online dealer, who is controlled and programmed by the firm, has full visibility of the cards being distributed and there is every possibility for the dealer to manipulate this distribution.