Online Rummy Federation Urges Kerala Govt to Regulate Online Gaming

KOCHI:
The Online Rummy Federation (TORF), a not-for-profit society to guide and support the online rummy industry, has urged the state government to regulate online gaming and formulate guidelines for resolving the confusions regarding online games. The industry body also asked the government to appoint joint committee to study the issue in the wake of Kerala High Court quashing a government order which banned online rummy in the state.

“We request that other state governments considering regulating this sector to ensure only legitimate, legal operators who follow strict protocols are allowed to operate and a clear distinction drawn from those who try and operate above the law. We reiterate the recommendation to set up a joint committee to explore the possibility of setting up stringent regulations to regulate the gaming sector as a whole and the Skill gaming sector in particular,” Sameer Barde CEO, TORF said.

“TORF would be keen to collaborate and support the Government of Kerala in developing a comprehensive regulation which will address all the issues of the state, citizens and the sector. Online rummy continues to be enjoyed as a form of entertainment by a number of Indians across the country. Over the decades several Supreme Court judgments have held rummy to be a game of skill and protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution,” he said.

The High Court of Kerala quashing the notification by the Kerala Government banning online rummy comes as a vindication of our stand that rummy is not a game of chance, instead, it’s a game skill. This follows the Madras High Court passing a judgment that rummy and poker are games of skill. In the past, the Supreme Court too has said that rummy is a game of skill. We hope that these judgments will put to rest the confusion reigning all around regarding online games, especially rummy. Online gaming is the new-age way of playing games, and it should be viewed in that light, said Deepak Gullapalli, Founder and CEO, Head Digital Works (HDW).