The Supreme Court today stayed a High Court directive that asked law enforcing agencies to take immediate action against clubs, seize gambling equipment and prevent people from playing such games in clubs.

The apex court, however, upheld the rest of the HC verdict banning all sorts of gambling.

A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order following two separate leave to appeal petitions filed by eight clubs including Dhaka Club, Gulshan Club and Uttara Club challenging the HC's February 10 verdict.

The High Court on February 10 declared gambling in any form, involving cards or roll of the dice or luck and through games like bingo, a criminal offence and asked the government to stop these nationwide.

The Supreme Court allowed the clubs to move an appeal before this court against the verdict.

Barrister Masood R Sobhan, a lawyer representing the clubs, told The Daily Star that following the appeal, the SC may provide a guideline on games that can be played in clubs.

Meanwhile, writ petitioners' counsel Barrister Redwan Ahmed Runjib told The Daily Star that the apex court today upheld the HC verdict regarding gambling except for one directive over the action of law enforcing agencies.