Poker game of skill or gambling: Bombay High Court asks Maharashtra government

Photo for representational purpose. Pic/ istock

The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court asked Maharashtra government on Tuesday whether Poker is a game of skill or gambling.

"On the last date, we had expressed ourselves that we need to understand the stand of State of Maharashtra as to whether this Poker game is gambling or it is a game of skill," the Bench of Justices VK Jadhav and SC More said, as per a report in Bar and Bench.

The reply was sought in response to a public interest litigation filed by activist Munawar Ahmed seeking the court's intervention in view of the state's failure to curb the game of Poker being played through online and offline avenues. The petitioner alleged that Poker was an illegal activity as per the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act. He stated in the PIL that due to the inaction of Maharashtra government, private companies have continued to indulge in this illegal activity while passing off the game as a "game of skill", despite knowing that the game was about betting and wagering.

After the bench was informed that the private companies had filed their response to the plea, it sought the stand taken by the Maharashtra government. Additional Public Prosecutor MM Nerlikar has sought for time to file a reply, which was granted by the Bench. The matter was adjourned to February 8.