Licensed Rummy Cafes May Soon Be A Reality in Maharashtra

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  • PG News November 2, 2015
  • 2 Minutes Read

According to a recent report by the Hindustan Times, playing rummy legally at cafes across Maharashtra may soon be a reality. The article by Surendra P Gangan states that the State govt is awaiting legal response from the law and judiciary department and is planning to set up ‘card court cafes’ to conduct tournaments across Maharashtra.

The police however, are not in favor of the move and Prabhat Kumar, Special Inspector General (law and order), reported that such cafes would not be welcomed by majority of the citizens. Most other such officials have sided with Kumar and believe that this move will only encourage gambling addiction, allowing it to flourish under the guise that ‘rummy was a game of skill.”

The case has its beginnings seven years ago, since when Milind Limaye, a Pune-based entrepreneur has been fighting in various courts for govt permission to host rummy competitions in nine major cities. Limaye has argued that regulation would in fact reduce gambling, and that rummy was a game of skill.

The Thane and Pune commissionerates and the state government, both refused Limaye’s applications; thereafter he turned to the Bombay High Court. In Dec 2013, the High Court finally asked the govt to issue licenses for such rummy contests and this in turn led the Home Department to seek judicial advice in order to carry out the same.

Several representatives have opposed the proposal, but Limaye has gotten the backing of numerous citizens, who believe that it would not only reduce illegal gambling, but also net the govt fresh revenue in taxes of almost ₹10 Lakhs per month, per café.

Limaye says, “People addicted to gambling sit for days at social clubs across the state. The Card Court Cafés, which will be designed for a tournament, will have a limit on the number of hours a person can spend.”

The matter is now with KP Bakshi, Additional Chief Secretary, who has instructed the law and judiciary department to peruse the matter in detail, including its effects on society at large.

Keep following the latest developments on this story right here on PokerGuru!

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