North India
Poker in Uttar Pradesh
Noida, Ghaziabad and Lucknow players welcome.
Is poker legal in Uttar Pradesh?
Pending in Allahabad HCThe Allahabad High Court is currently hearing a petition seeking declaration of poker as a game of skill in UP, which would bring it in line with Karnataka and West Bengal. UP has no specific poker licensing framework — private member-only games are widely played in Noida, Ghaziabad and Lucknow under the skill-game exception relied on in other states.
Court rulings & statutes
- Read source
Writ Petition seeking recognition of poker as a game of skill (pending)
Allahabad High Court · 18 Nov 2025
Petition filed seeking a declaration that poker is a game of skill and therefore protected under Article 19(1)(g). Hearing ongoing; final order awaited. If granted, UP would join Karnataka, West Bengal and Nagaland in formal skill-game recognition.
- Read source
K.R. Lakshmanan v. State of Tamil Nadu (relied upon)
Supreme Court of India · 12 Jan 1996
Skill-game test the Allahabad petition turns on — substantial degree of skill = no gambling.
Latest news
- Allahabad HC reserves order on plea to declare poker a game of skillLiveLaw · Feb 2026
- UP poker community awaits HC verdict, Noida clubs operate quietlyTimes of India · Jan 2026
- MeitY clarifies 2025 Online Gaming Act applies only to online real-money gamesMoneyControl · Sept 2025
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with a local lawyer before organising games.