Gujarat HC to deliver poker legality judgment on 23rd November

The Gujarat High Court heard the concluding arguments of all poker clubs as well as the public prosecutor and state government counsel for a few hours over the span of three hearings- i.e. on 15th, 18th and 19th September.

Senior Counsels Mihir Thakore and SV Raju, India Poker Association Secretary KN Suresh (appearing as petitioner in person) as well as the government counsel argued at length about the manner in which the game of poker is played, case laws, statutory provisions as well as International precedents.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice Rajesh Shukla reserved its order on the legality of the game of poker, whether the element of skill outweighs chance and whether it can be played for stakes in clubs across Gujarat.

Justice Shukla also announced that the order will be delivered on 23rd November. The order of the Gujarat High Court is likely to have a significant impact on the future of online and offline poker in India.

Petitioner clubs have indicated that any adverse ruling in the matter would almost certainly be immediately challenged before a division bench of the High Court.