preme Court in India has dismissed a petition filed by the online sportsbook Krida Sports and Games Pvt Ltd which challenged the legitimacy of the rummy ban in the regions of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Krida Sports had filed a writ petition in May in the Supreme Court stating that rummy should be allowed to be played for stakes without any interference from the police. These actions follow the two ordinances issued earlier this year by the government of Telangana that banned playing rummy among other games, specifically making wagering on skill games illegal.

However, the government of Telangana has quickly confronted the online operator arguing that the card game has caused addictions among vulnerable sectors of society, including women and students.

“It is evident from the above that rummy and online rummy when played for stakes, is creating a social menace affecting the life of students and women. It is causing an adverse impact on family life.

“The State was therefore compelled to enact the Ordinance pursuant to its constitutional responsibilities of enacting a just social order,” the court heard.

Although the bench of Justices has disposed the petition, it said that Krida Sports was at liberty to approach the relevant state High Courts if desired. Meanwhile, waiting for further hearings, online rummy companies granted until October 15 the right to offer services to gamblers residing outside the state of Telangana.