The Punjab & Haryana High Court, in its judgment dated 17 August 2026, directed the authorities to permit specified petitioners to facilitate physical or offline poker and rummy operations, subject to defined compliance and monitoring conditions.
The decision concerned two petitions involving businesses seeking to facilitate these card games in Gurugram. The Court set aside earlier administrative orders that had deferred permission pending the Haryana Government’s notification identifying games of skill under the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025.
However, the ruling should be read in its specific legal context. It concerned the petitioners before the Court and did not automatically grant permission to every poker club or rummy operator.
What Did the Punjab & Haryana High Court Decide?
In its 17 August 2026 judgment, the Court considered petitions filed by M/s City Soul Hospitality LLP and Maaya Gaming and Technologies Private Limited. The businesses had challenged administrative decisions that deferred permission to facilitate physical or offline poker and rummy.
The Court concluded that the permission sought by the petitioners could not be deferred solely because the government had not yet issued a notification identifying these games as games of skill under the 2025 Act. It directed the authorities to permit the petitioners to conduct the specified activities, subject to reasonable conditions.
The decision addressed the petitioners’ circumstances and the legal framework considered by the Court at that time. It should not be interpreted as an unconditional or universal approval of all cardrooms, gaming businesses or commercial poker operations.
Read the Punjab & Haryana High Court judgment dated 17 August 2026 for the full reasoning and directions.
Conditions for Physical Poker and Rummy Operations
The Court attached specific requirements to the permission granted to the petitioners. These conditions focus on player identification, transaction traceability, surveillance and regulatory access.
1. Mandatory KYC Verification
Every player visiting the petitioners’ commercial premises must undergo Know Your Customer (KYC) verification through the Golden Aces application, as specified in the judgment.
The purpose of identity verification is to establish who is participating and support accountability at the venue.
2. Identity and Record Requirements
The judgment further requires every participant to provide the following details for identity authentication and traceability:
These requirements were expressly included in the Court’s directions. Operators should refer to the complete judgment for the precise scope of the obligations and obtain appropriate legal and data-protection advice when implementing identity verification procedures.
3. Round-the-Clock CCTV Surveillance
The Court directed that the entire premises remain under CCTV surveillance around the clock. The specified areas include:
Gaming areas
Cashier counters
Entry and exit points
Other operational zones
This condition establishes a surveillance requirement across the premises, rather than limiting CCTV coverage to the gaming tables alone.
4. Access for Competent Authorities
The judgment requires the premises and the relevant data and records to be available for verification by competent authorities.
For operators covered by the directions, this means that compliance arrangements must account for official verification of the premises and associated records. Businesses should obtain legal guidance on applicable recordkeeping, access procedures and data-handling obligations.
Who Is Covered by the Judgment?
The directions concern the petitioners named in the two proceedings: M/s City Soul Hospitality LLP and Maaya Gaming and Technologies Private Limited.
The Court’s order should not be treated as a general licence for all poker clubs, rummy rooms or gaming businesses in Haryana. Other operators must independently assess their legal position, applicable permissions and compliance obligations.
The judgment also states that the permission granted to the petitioners remains subject to the government’s eventual decision in their cases. That qualification is important when assessing the scope and continuing effect of the ruling.
How Does the 10 September 2026 Haryana Notification Fit In?
A separate development followed the judgment. On 10 September 2026, the Haryana Government notified rummy and poker as games of skill for the purposes of the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025.
The notification and the Court judgment are distinct legal developments:
The 17 August 2026 judgment: Addressed the specific petitioners’ requests to facilitate physical or offline poker and rummy, subject to conditions.
The 10 September 2026 notification: Identified poker and rummy as games of skill for the purposes of the specified Haryana legislation.
The later notification should be read alongside the Act, the judgment and any other applicable legal requirements. Classification as a game of skill does not, by itself, establish that every business model or venue is exempt from all regulatory obligations.
Read the 10 September 2026 notification concerning rummy and poker for further details.
What Should Poker and Rummy Operators Take Away?
The judgment identifies concrete compliance requirements for the petitioners and clarifies the Court’s reasoning in their cases. Businesses considering physical poker or rummy operations should avoid assuming that the ruling automatically applies to them.
Operators should consider the following steps:
Review the full judgment and determine whether its directions apply to their circumstances.
Obtain legal advice on the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, and the subsequent notification.
Assess applicable permissions and any additional requirements imposed by the relevant authorities.
Establish appropriate player-verification, recordkeeping and CCTV procedures where legally required.
Review data protection and information-security practices for sensitive identity and financial details.
These steps are general considerations, not a substitute for case-specific legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Punjab & Haryana High Court decide on 17 August 2026?
The Court directed the authorities to permit the specified petitioners to facilitate physical or offline poker and rummy, subject to KYC, identity verification, CCTV surveillance and access for competent authorities.
Which conditions did the Court impose?
The conditions included KYC through the Golden Aces application, submission of PAN, Aadhaar, bank account and mobile number details, round-the-clock CCTV surveillance across specified areas, and availability of the premises and relevant records for verification by competent authorities.
Does the judgment permit every poker club in Haryana to operate?
No. The directions concerned the petitioners in the specific proceedings. Other operators should not assume that they automatically receive the same permission.
What changed on 10 September 2026?
The Haryana Government notified poker and rummy as games of skill for the purposes of the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025. The notification is a separate development and should be read with the applicable legislation and other legal requirements.
Where can I read the original documents?
The judgment is available on Indian Kanoon. The subsequent notification is summarised by Complinity.
Conclusion
The Punjab & Haryana High Court’s 17 August 2026 judgment set out specific compliance conditions for the named petitioners seeking to facilitate physical poker and rummy in Gurugram. Its directions addressed player verification, identity and record requirements, CCTV surveillance, and access for competent authorities.
The Haryana Government’s subsequent notification of 10 September 2026 is a separate legal development that should be considered alongside the judgment and the applicable legislation. For poker clubs, rummy operators and prospective businesses, the key is to verify which provisions apply to their particular circumstances rather than treating either development as blanket approval for every operation.Sources
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the original documents and take advice from a qualified lawyer before acting.
