APHC010570572024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3521] FRIDAY,THE EIGHTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE Y. LAKSHMANA RAO WRIT PETITION NO: 30038/2024 Between: THE KURNOOL UNITED CLUB, REGD.NO.S. 19/55, OPP. DISTRICT COURT, KUMOOL, REP BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY, K.BALARAM S/O VENKATASWAMY, AGE. 65, R/O KUMOOL ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 2. THE SUPERINTEND OF POLICE, KUMOOL, KUMOOL DISTRICT 3. THE SUB DIVISIONAL POLICE OFFICER, KUMOOL, KUMOOL DISTRICT 4. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, II TOWN POLICE STATION, KUMOOL ...RESPONDENT(S): Counsel for the Petitioner: Counsel for the Respondent(S): GP FOR HOME B VASANTHA LAKSHMI 2 Dr. YLR, J W.P.No.30038 of 2024 Dated 08.05.2026 The Court made the following: ORDER: The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief:- “…to issue a Writ Order or direction more particularly one in nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action on the part of Respondents 2 to 4 in interfering with Petitioner Clubs law full activities including conducting Card Room for playing the games of Rummy the Game of 13 Cards by its members and guests as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the Respondents 2 to 4 to not to interfere with the lawful activities of the Petitioner Club including conducting Card Rooms for playing the Game of Rummy the Game of 13 Cards and to pass…” 2. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home. 3. Ms.B.Vasantha Lakshmi, learned counsel for the Petitioner, submits that pursuant to the amendment Section 2(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 2020 (Act 43 of 2020), the club is permitted to organize the playing 13-card rummy game without stakes. 4. Sri P. Ajay Babu, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, brings to the notice of this Court the order passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court in I.A. No.7 of 2025 in W.P.No.11394 of 2024, wherein the said I.A. was allowed, setting aside the earlier order dated 15.09.2025 passed in W.P.No.11394 of 2024, by which permission had been granted to the petitioner therein to conduct card rooms for playing the 13-card rummy game without stakes. 3 Dr. YLR, J W.P.No.30038 of 2024 Dated 08.05.2026 5. Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case, conducting card rooms for playing the 13-card rummy game without stakes is not an offence punishable under law. However, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home requests this Court to pass an order enabling the police to have some regulation over the activities of the club. 6. A fortiori, this Court in Officers Recreation Club v. State of A.P1 held that the game of rummy, including the 13-card variant, is predominantly a game of skill and not one of chance and, therefore, its conduct without stakes does not constitute an offence under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, as amended by Act 43 of 2020, consequently, the interference of the police authorities with the lawful and bona fide recreational activities of clubs conducting such games is wholly unsustainable in law. The Court further declared that while clubs are entitled to conduct card rooms for playing 13-card rummy without stakes as part of their legitimate day-to-day activities, the police retain a limited supervisory jurisdiction to inspect and monitor the premises so as to ensure that no gambling with stakes is permitted, and directed that such regulatory oversight may be facilitated through reasonable measures including the installation of CCTV cameras, thereby striking a judicious balance between the fundamental rights of the Petitioner clubs under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India and the statutory obligation of the State to prevent illegal gaming. 1W.P.No.29586 of 2025 dated 24.03.2026 4 Dr. YLR, J W.P.No.30038 of 2024 Dated 08.05.2026 7. In view of the above, the Writ Petition is disposed of granting permission to the Petitioner to conduct a card room for playing the 13-card rummy game without stakes. However, the police are at liberty to monitor the activities of the Petitioner club and ensure that the club does not conduct card rooms for playing the 13-card rummy game with stakes. The respondent police have the power or authority to inspect the premises of the club. In this regard, the Petitioner club shall arrange adequate CCTV cameras covering the areas of the club so that the Respondent Police can monitor the activities of the club and ensure that no violation of the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, as amended, occurs. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel thereto, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ Dr.Y. LAKSHMANA RAO, J. Date: 08.05.2026 RSI 5 Dr. YLR, J W.P.No.30038 of 2024 Dated 08.05.2026 243 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE Y. LAKSHMANA RAO WRIT PETITION NO: 30038 of 2024 Date: 08.05.2026 RSI