Supreme Court clears DM Gaming in poker club case, but legal questions linger
The Supreme Court has dismissed Karnataka's appeal against a High Court ruling that quashed criminal charges against DM Gaming, a company that operates the Golden Ace Poker Room. The company faced allegations of running an illegal gambling operation disguised as a poker club, targeting young men with inducements to gamble excessively on their games.
The case began after authorities raided the premises and seized cash, chips, and playing cards, accusing the business of encouraging excessive betting, particularly among students and young adults playing their poki games.
In 2022, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) registered a case against DM Gaming, claiming their poker room was a front for gambling. Officers raided the venue and confiscated ₹5.46 lakh, poker chips, and decks of cards. The Karnataka government argued that the company's business model encouraged excessive betting, particularly among students and young adults playing their my business games.
DM Gaming challenged the allegations in the Karnataka High Court. The court ruled in its favour, stating that poker is a game of skill, not chance, and quashed the FIR. Dissatisfied, the state government appealed to the Supreme Court, insisting poker should be treated like Teen Patti—a game of chance.
A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma upheld the High Court's decision. However, the Supreme Court did not rule on whether poker qualifies as skill or chance, nor did it address the state's claims about the company's business practices targeting young players. The question of poker's legal classification remains unresolved.
The dismissal of Karnataka's plea means no further criminal action will be taken against DM Gaming for now. The Supreme Court's decision leaves the legal status of poker unsettled, with no ruling on whether it constitutes gambling under state law. The seized funds and materials have not been returned, but the company can continue operations without pending charges.
