Playing board games and cards without betting.
Q. Is it permissible to play board games, eg. ludo and snakes and ladders? Also can we play cards without betting? And can children play board games?
A. In general, the scholars have considered these board games as disliked which have no benefit in them and is merely a wastage of one’s time.
Additionally, it would be even more disliked if such games are from those which people use as a means of gambling like that of playing cards etc. Some scholars have stated that card playing is unlawful even though it is without betting. Educational games such as scrabble, monopoly, etc. will be allowed. Ludo will also be allowed for children. Snakes and ladders contain pictures on the board which are prohibited in Islam, hence, this will not be permissible.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan