Is online Gambling Legal in India
Today, even after 70+ years of Independence, gambling laws in India still abide by the Public Gambling Act of 1867. However, it is very legal to bet on online casino websites in India, unlike popular belief. With the staggering rise in the number of players and amount of money won at these casinos, more and more Indians from all walks of life are becoming allured to this attraction.
As far as real land gambling or betting is concerned, unlike online gambling, it is illegal in almost every state in India except Goa, Daman and Diu, and Sikkim due to the 1976 Gambling Act.
Public Gambling Act of 1867
The Public Gambling Act states that in the Indian boundaries only games of skill are truly legal, while games of chance aren’t. Furthermore, the act also mentions that owning, or visiting a common gaming house, walled enclosure room, or place in which, dice, tables, cards, chips, or other instruments of gaming are kept and used are strictly banned and seen as a criminal offense.
Legal Online Casinos in India
Legality and customer security are one of the major concerns of our Vegas Casinos team. By keeping every security measure in mind we have made a list of risk-free online casinos in India.
Indian State Legality Map
The below-mentioned map gives you a complete overview of the legality of online gambling in India! It is firmly advised you read your state’s gambling laws as they intended to change with time to learn more about the specific laws and regulations.
State Gambling Laws
Every State and Union Territory within the Indian borders has the option to follow the Public Gambling Act or regulate gambling as per their will this is why some states have banned both online and land-based gambling completely while others have legalized it.
Most of the Indian states follow the bygone Gambling rule of 1867 which is why it becomes easier for users to bet in online casinos as the law doesn’t mention anything about betting in online foreign-based casinos.
Specifications of the Indian Gambling Laws (Things to Remember):
Games of skill v/s chance:
Game of Skill | Game of Chance |
Games that require some special tactics or skills such as teen patti are known as games of skills. | Games of chance are those which are wholly dependent on luck such as slots |
Foreign Exchange Management Act
Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident outside India (Fourteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2014.
This is a law that governs spending and exchanging of foreign currencies and it technically does not allows any Indian citizen to deposit or transfer foreign currencies anywhere outside of the Foreign Exchange Bureau or National Bank.
Thus, it automatically becomes mandatory for offshore-based casinos to let you deposit in Indian Rupee (INR) using any payment method of your choice including bank transfer, several e-wallets, and even cryptocurrency!
FAQs
Is Casino legal in India?
Yes, offshore-based online casinos are legal in India. Every state has its different laws regarding online casinos, so it is advised to read your state gambling laws before placing bets.
Is Poker legal in India?
It depends on whether you are playing it in a land-based casino or an online one. If you are using the online version then you can place wagers except for the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Gujarat.
Can I use INR in Online Casinos?
Yes, the INR option is available in all risk-free online casinos.
Hi guys, I am Faizan, an online casino game enthusiast with over 5+ years of experience. I am passionate about online casino games, and my sole motive is to provide you with all the trustful information regarding online gambling in India. I love to play slots, RNG, and Live Casino games.
My articles have been featured in Cricket Addictor, East Mojo, 1883 and The Bridge.