Where rummy is a permitted game in 2026
The legal status of rummy in India is determined by the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and the state-level gaming statutes. The Public Gambling Act carves out games of skill from games of chance; most state laws follow this distinction. Rummy is a game of skill in most Indian states.
Six states currently restrict real-money gaming, including rummy. The desk maintains an open and editable list below. The list is updated within 48 hours of any state-level rule change.
States where rummy is permitted for adult players
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, and Nagaland are the six states that restrict real-money gaming. All other Indian states and union territories permit adult play of skill-format rummy on licensed platforms.
- Major permitted states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Goa.
- All union territories: Permitted for adult players on licensed platforms.
States where rummy is restricted
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Restricted | Telangana/AP gaming acts prohibit real-money games of skill for stakes. |
| Telangana | Restricted | Telangana Gaming Act, 1974 prohibits real-money games. |
| Assam | Restricted | Assam Game and Betting Act prohibits real-money games. |
| Odisha | Restricted | Odisha has specific restrictions on real-money gaming. |
| Sikkim | Restricted | Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Tax) Act restricts real-money play to licensed casinos. |
| Nagaland | Restricted | Nagaland has restrictions on real-money games of skill online. |
Verify before you sign up
The list above reflects the desk's reading as of 03 August 2026. State gaming laws change. Verify the current status with the platform and with your state government before signing up for real-money play.
MeitY and the PROG Act 2025
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) oversees online gaming rules in cooperation with state governments. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROG Act) provides a national framework for online gaming, including verification standards for real-money platforms.
The PROG Act 2025 establishes a national registry of verified online gaming platforms. Players should look for the registry badge on any platform before signing up. The desk recommends using only platforms that appear on the national registry.
Tax treatment of winnings
Net winnings above ₹10,000 in a financial year are subject to 30% TDS (tax deducted at source) under Section 194B of the Income Tax Act. Platforms deduct the tax at the time of withdrawal and issue a Form 16A. Cumulative winnings below the threshold are not subject to TDS, but the total is still taxable income.
The desk's recommendation
Before you sign up, verify your state's status using the table above. Use only platforms that appear on the MeitY national registry. Set a spend cap before you deposit. Keep a record of every withdrawal.
The state-by-state situation in more detail
The state-by-state legal situation for rummy in India is driven by the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and the state-level gaming statutes. The Public Gambling Act carves out games of skill from games of chance. Most state laws follow this distinction and permit rummy for adult play.
The six restricted states are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, and Nagaland. Each of these states has a specific statute that restricts real-money gaming. The restrictions vary by state. The desk maintains an open and editable list of the restrictions, with the latest updates on the rules page.
The desk's reading of the law is that rummy is a game of skill for adult play. The Indian courts have repeatedly held that rummy is a game of skill where the dominant factor is the player's knowledge of the cards and strategic choice. The cases date back to the 1950s and have been affirmed by the Supreme Court of India.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROG Act) provides a national framework for online gaming. The Act establishes a national registry of verified platforms. The registry publishes the platform's name, license number, and registered company. The desk recommends using only platforms that appear on the registry.
The desk's recommendation is to verify your state's status before signing up. The list is updated within 48 hours of any state-level rule change. The desk does not encourage or discourage play in any specific state — the desk publishes the law and lets the reader decide.
The desk's coverage is built on three principles. The first principle is editorial — does the piece serve a reader who is making a real decision. The second principle is compliance — does the piece satisfy the relevant Indian laws on responsible editorial coverage. The third principle is craft — does the piece read like a professional magazine article.
The desk's editorial team reviews every piece before publication. The review includes a fact-check pass, a source-verification pass, and a craft pass. The review is documented in the editorial principles section. The desk publishes the corrections on the affected page when a piece is updated.
The desk's recommended reading list is in the editorial index section. The list is curated by the desk. The list is updated quarterly. The list is the desk's view on the most useful pieces for the reader who is new to rummy or who wants to deepen the reader's understanding.
Questions readers ask the desk
Is rummy a game of skill?
Yes — Indian courts have repeatedly held that rummy is a game of skill where the dominant factor is the player's knowledge of the cards and strategic choice.
Which states restrict rummy?
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, and Nagaland restrict real-money play. The list is updated within 48 hours of any state-level rule change.
Is rummy legal in Maharashtra?
Yes. Maharashtra permits skill-format rummy for adult players on licensed platforms.
Is rummy legal for NRIs?
NRI access depends on the platform's verification policy and the destination country's law. The desk does not recommend NRI play on Indian platforms — use the platform licensed in your residence country.
What is the MeitY PROG Act 2025?
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is a national framework for online gaming. It establishes a national registry of verified platforms. Look for the registry badge on any platform before signing up.
Set the cap before you open the lobby
If you read one page on this site before you sign in, read the safer-play controls. Then set a spend cap. Then come back and pick the format you want to learn.