Chess and Gambling Instruments: If Views Differ Between Countries, Is Playing Doubtful Games Permissible?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Chess and Gambling Instruments: If Views Differ Between Countries, Is Playing Doubtful Games Permissible?

English:

Question #1120:

Suppose the people in two different countries have divergent views as to treating certain games as being/not being among gambling instruments. Is it permissible to engage in such games?

Answer #1120:

The established common view in both countries has to be taken into account, i.e., if a thing is viewed in one country among the instruments of gambling while in the past, they considered it as a gambling instrument in both countries, it suffices to make it ḥarām to embark on.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Chess and Gambling Instruments