Game of skill cannot justify wagering or play for stakes; gambling remains prohibited in law.

Wagering with stakes is impermissible even in games of skill under the Karnataka Police Act, 1963. The Court clarified that a game of skill does not create any legal right to gamble or play for stakes, and that earlier authority relied on by the appellant had been misread. It further held that, even where games of skill or other games are otherwise permitted, wagering remains prohibited in law. The challenge to the impugned order therefore failed, and the order under challenge was left undisturbed.

---

---

Issues: Whether wagering or playing with stakes is permissible in games of skill under the Karnataka Police Act, 1963.

Analysis: The Court held that wagering is impermissible in law and that gambling cannot be permitted under any circumstance. It clarified that the earlier order relied upon by the appellant was being misread and that even if the activity is a game of skill, wagering cannot be allowed. The Court further stated that, even where games of skill or other games are otherwise permitted, playing such games with stakes remains impermissible.

Conclusion: Wagering with stakes is not permitted even in respect of games of skill, and the challenge to the impugned order fails.

Final Conclusion: The appeal was rejected and the order under challenge was left undisturbed, with the clarification that games of skill cannot be played for stakes.

Ratio Decidendi: A game of skill does not carry with it any legal right to wager or play for stakes, and gambling or wagering remains impermissible notwithstanding the nature of the game.

---