Update: It was pointed to us that many media sites which cover news on poker and gambling were basing their reports on a story in Andhra Jyothy. The report, however, needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. It does not backs it up with an official source or statement. Rahul N Bhardwaj, COO of Junglee Games wrote in to MediaNama and said that they could not find any information on the ordinance. Meanwhile, we will update once we hear updates on the same. Earlier: The Telangana government is considering classifying online poker and rummy as forms of betting and gambling, according to multiple media reports. The state government may amend the Telangana Gaming Act with an ordinance and is also looking to insert a definition for cyberspace in the act, reports CalvinAyre. People playing online poker and rummy could also incur criminal penalties and a fine of Rs 5,000 for the first offence and higher fines for subsequent offences, Asia Gaming Brief reported. In 2015, the Supreme Court of India declared online rummy, poker and card games as games of skill, which are not illegal in the country. However, states are allowed to pass laws regulating betting and gambling and users from Assam and Orissa are not allowed to play online poker and rummy. The Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970, and the Orissa (Prevention of) Gambling Act, 1955 prohibits games with money stakes and also does not create an exception for games of skill. Police restraining users from playing poker is a regular occurrence in the…
