Playing of housie/tambola in housing society complexes

Members of a Housing Society registered under the Karnataka Act have been playing Tambola forover 15 years to date. How ever a new President has now been elected by the Association for one year. He has directed that Tambola/Housie shall not be played in the society complex common areas, since this is an illegal gambling activity. The orders have been passed to encompass Tambola & Rummi card games. Is this a legal & justified action taken by the President? Both these activities are played openly in resiential complexes & almost all clubs in India?