Specifically, imprisonment may extend up to five years and fines may extend up to INR 2,00,00,000 (approximately USD 225,618) in the event of contravention. Please also note that since the New Act prohibits all online real-money games, which include fees or deposits made by end users in the form of money or other stakes, the use of VDAs in the context of online real-money games would also be prohibited. Separate to VDAs, digital currencies may also include currencies that are recognised by central banks and financial institutions of different countries that are considered legal tender. India has been in the process of introducing its own digital currency as well in the form of the Central Bank Digital Currency, which has been given the moniker of “Digital Rupee”.

How to Choose the Right Sports Law Firm in India: Key F…

Gaming platforms collect sensitive user data, including financial information and personal details. Compliance with data protection laws is therefore crucial under online gaming laws in India. The skill vs chance gaming India debate significantly impacts licensing, compliance, and taxation. Yes, online casinos are legal in India, but you need to sign up to offshore, legal and licenced online casinos that accept deposits in Indian Rupees. The best strategy to win at online casinos is to play high-volatility slots with your bonus money.

Games of Skill vs. Games of Chance: Key to Understanding If Online Gambling is Legal in India

• At present, the New Act is not in force, and its constitutionality has been challenged.
• A majority of the State Gaming Laws are pre-internet statutes and therefore prohibit gambling activities only in physical premises which are referred to as “gaming houses” or “common gaming houses”.
• See question 3.1 above – all of the laws mentioned above would be applicable, with the IT Act 2000 being the key legislation for online media.
• An online casino is a casino that operates entirely online allowing you to play popular casino games, slots, live casino games and more.
• Online casinos in India are prohibited, while all other gambling regulations vary across states.
• Under this law, online gambling operators can obtain licenses to offer various games, including casino games, to players within the state.

The implementation of the TN Act was, however, in abeyance, given that there were some pending challenges to the constitutionality of the legislation. After lengthy hearings, the Madras High Court upheld the validity of the TN Act in the case of All India Gaming Federation v. State of Tamil Nadu & Others. While the Madras High Court upheld the constitutional validity of the TN Act, it struck down the Schedule that classified rummy and poker as games of chance, noting that the Supreme Court had previously recognised rummy as a game of skill. Currently, the State of Tamil Nadu has filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court challenging this portion of the judgment, which remains pending adjudication.

Are there any states in India where online gambling is legal?

In case of the BNS or the IRWA, the offences may be related to content of the games or its advertisements or violation of any prohibitions imposed by the BNS (such as the one on private lotteries). The majority of the State Gaming Laws do not impose social responsibility requirements on operators as most of them have been enacted to forbid gambling. The contents of the corresponding cell apply except the points on Nagaland and Rajasthan, which apply to online fantasy sports platforms only. Under the State Gaming Laws, the respective state governments regulate betting on physical horse races. These include states such as Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. Additional conditions may be imposed by the respective race club itself operating under the terms of the licence issued by the state government.

What is the future outlook for online gambling regulations in India?

The said appeal is still at a preliminary stage, with notices having been issued to the relevant parties and the effect of the impugned Bombay High Court judgment stayed. The Supreme Court has held betting on horse racing to be a game of skill and consequently entitled to the skill games exemption under the State Gaming Laws. In addition, there is a specific exemption for betting on horse races in most State Gaming Laws too.

The New Act also prescribes penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of INR 1,00,00,000 for contraventions. For poker played in casinos, please refer to the corresponding cell above on casino gaming. Except in the states of Sikkim and Nagaland, which regulate skill gaming through a licensing regime, the skill variants of poker are not expressly prohibited under any other State Gaming Law. In Nagaland, the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2016 (“Nagaland Act”) identifies poker as a skill game and requires an operator to procure a licence for offering it. The state of Sikkim in the north-east of India, the state of Goa in the west and the union territory of Daman and Diu in the west regulate casino games in land-based form through state-specific laws.

What are some of the challenges associated with the legal ambiguity surrounding online gambling in India?

This Indian casino allows instant deposits for Indian rupees through UPI and cryptocurrencies, with the lowest deposit ranging from 300 INR. We also reviewed Parimatch’s withdrawal time and concluded that it is sufficiently fast. xxvii     It is to be noted that the State Gaming Laws of Haryana and Chhattisgarh that have been amended and extend to online gambling prescribe higher monetary penalties than that of State Gaming Laws that have not been amended/remain more relevant to pre-internet statutes.

In the context of online gaming, states are gradually recognising the need for specific provisions to regulate the field and while some states of north-eastern India have preferred a licensing regime, some states of southern India have opted for bans. In most states, since it is difficult for a traditional police force to effectively act against online platforms if they do not have a physical place of business in a particular state, states are looking for ways to block such websites (see question 3.1 above). In other words, though there is appetite for enforcement, there are practical challenges to enforcement. In case of the New Act, imprisonment and fines are prescribed in the event of contravention of any of its provisions relating to online money games.

These casinos are licensed and trusted and guarantee a safe casino gaming environment for Indian players. As India continues to grapple with the challenges and opportunities posed by online gambling, there is a pressing need for comprehensive regulation that balances consumer protection with economic considerations. Clear and consistent legislation, coupled with robust enforcement mechanisms, can ensure a safe and regulated environment for players and operators alike, fostering responsible gaming practices and supporting the growth of the online gambling industry in India. Similarly, Goa and Daman permit the operation of land-based casinos, but the legal status of online gambling in these states remains unclear due to the absence of specific regulations. In April 2025, the state government of Haryana enacted the Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025x (“Haryana Act”), thereby repealing the Public Gambling Act in its application to the state. The Haryana Act expands the definitions of “betting” and “common gambling house” to cover wagers placed through electronic communication and the use of computer networks for gambling.

Everything You Need to Know About the Casino Laws

Online slots, online baccarat, online blackjack, online roulette, etc, are all the most popular and are the best online casino games to play in Indian rupees. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of the most popular games among Indian casino fans. Yes, there have been recent legislative initiatives and enforcement actions aimed at addressing online gambling in India.

While this act prohibits most forms of traditional gambling, it does not explicitly address online platforms. This has created a grey area where online betting platforms, including Fairplay India, operate legally under licenses issued outside India, such as Curaçao. Real money gaming law India requires platforms to implement strict KYC indibet (Know Your Customer) procedures, anti-money laundering (AML) safeguards, and secure payment mechanisms. Failure to comply with financial regulations can attract penalties under IT laws, financial regulations, and consumer protection statutes. Most states prohibit it, and engaging in online casino gambling can result in fines or imprisonment. States like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have implemented strict laws against all forms of online gambling, including skill-based games.