Is Online Casino Legal in India? A State-by-State Guide
A guide for Indian readers who are looking to understand the legal status of online gambling. Online gambling is growing globally, and India has also become a major hub for the industry.
With increasing Internet penetration, digital wallets, and the rising demand for casino-style gaming, one question often arises in the minds of Indian players: Is online casino legal in India?
Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question.
The legal status of online casino in India varies from one state to another and is regulated by various central and state laws and court judgments. In this article, we have made an effort to provide a simplified state-wise list of the current legal status of online casinos in India, important legislations that regulate online casino, and practical advice for those who wish to indulge in online gaming responsibly.
For a broader overview of platforms, payments, and safety basics, visit our online casino hub.
Central Legislations
・The Public Gambling Act, 1867 Extent:
This law was introduced during the colonial era and makes “gambling” in a public place a criminal offense. The term “gambling” has been defined as “offering for sale or betting or wagering on any game of chance.” The law also prescribes that any game of mere skill where no one risks anything at all would not be termed as “gambling.” Provisions: Section 2 of the Public Gambling Act criminalizes running or keeping, and being in charge of, a common gaming house. Limitations: The law does not apply to online or virtual gaming spaces as the law was enacted way before the Internet existed. Various courts in India have observed that the law applies to brick-and-mortar casinos and gaming houses.
・The Information Technology Act, 2000
The IT Act regulates online transactions and cybercrime. Although the law does not talk about online gaming, it allows the government to block “obscene” or “unlawful” content under Section 69A of the IT Act. In the past, this provision has been used to block a few offshore gaming websites. However, this is not a blanket ban on online gaming.
・The Constitution, “Games of Skill” v. “Games of Chance” Indian courts have carved out a legal exception for “games of skill” as opposed to “games of chance.” The Indian Supreme Court, in the case of State of Maharashtra v. Mohan Dharmadhikari (1996), ruled that any game that involves a “preponderance of skill” is legally permissible. Online casino games like poker or rummy are considered games of skill in India while games such as slots and roulette are games of chance. Based on this distinction, many Indian states have enacted their own laws for online gaming.
・Taxation and Foreign Exchange Legislations FEMA regulates foreign exchange. Players who use offshore gaming platforms must make sure that the payments are in compliance with the RBI norms, especially when using foreign e-wallets or credit cards for making payments. Moreover, winnings from legally permissible games are subject to taxation under the Income Tax Act. However, the legal ambiguity surrounding online gaming creates confusion regarding the obligation to report such income.
For context on the Indian market before diving into the state-by-state breakdown, visit casino in india.
A breakdown of the main Indian states and whether or not you can play at an online casino.
Status:
Legal & Regulated: Online casino games are regulated and licensed under specific state law (skill games only).
Legal (Grey Area): Online casino operators are not specifically mentioned in the state law, but you are free to play at an online casino, albeit with some ambiguity on the state law position.
Illegal: Online casino games fall under the state’s general gambling laws which ban all forms of gambling, online or otherwise.
Partially Legal: Online casino games such as poker are legal, but games such as slots are not legal. All the information below is correct as of the start of 2026. Please check the current legal situation.
States That Have Introduced a Legal Structure
Sikkim: Online casino operators can obtain a license from the state of Sikkim to offer games such as poker and rummy (skill games only), according to the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act 2008. The servers that the online casino uses to store data must be located in Sikkim.
Goa: Although the Goa Gaming (Amendment) Act 2008 only allows for land-based casinos, the state has partially licensed a number of online operators to offer online games to tourists only.
Maharashtra: Games of chance are not allowed according to the Maharashtra Gaming Act 1970. However, the state does allow games of skill such as poker and rummy to be played at online casinos, even if the state has not explicitly licensed the operators.
Karnataka: Online casino games that involve skill such as poker and rummy are legal under the Karnataka Prevention of Gambling Act 2009, but slots, roulette and other games of chance are illegal.
Telangana And Andhra Pradesh: Skill games such as poker and rummy are permitted under the 2009 Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act. This applies to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Online operators that offer poker, fantasy sports and rummy are tolerated, while slots and roulette remain illegal.
Punjab: The Punjab Gaming Act 1977 allows for the playing of skill games online. Online poker and rummy operators can offer their games, but slot games are not allowed.
Uttar Pradesh: According to the Uttar Pradesh Gaming Act 1976, skill games are allowed. Online rummy and poker sites operate in a legal limbo. Chances are that if you play at an online casino, law enforcement will only prosecute you if you play games of chance.
West Bengal: Skill games are allowed under the West Bengal Gambling Act 1975. Online Poker and Rummy: Technically permitted, yet no licensing system is available for these games.
States That Have Banned Online Casinos:
Gujarat: The Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act of 1975 completely restricts gambling and online gaming.
Madhya Pradesh: The Madhya Pradesh Gaming Act of 1972 prohibits online and offline gambling.
Rajasthan: The Rajasthan Gaming Act of 1978 prohibits gambling and includes fines for online casinos.
Haryana: The Haryana Gaming Act of 1975 restricts gambling, and the state has already cracked down on online casinos.
Assam: The Assam Prohibition of Gambling Act of 1999 restricts all gambling, including online.
Bihar: The Bihar Prohibition of Gambling Act of 2000 restricts offline and online gambling.
Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory): The Jammu & Kashmir Prohibition of Gambling Act of 1995 restricts gambling, and the central government has restricted online content.
Other Union Territories (like Ladakh, Chandigarh): Same as the central government’s stance; gambling is restricted unless stated otherwise in local bylaws.
States with No Specific Law (Grey Area):
Delhi: There is no specific law for online gambling; gambling laws are enforced for games of chance. Most skill-based sites operate freely.
Tamil Nadu: There is no specific law for online gambling; however, the state has blocked several casino sites using the Information Technology Act.
Kerala: No specific law; authorities have seized devices that were being used for online gambling.
Odisha: No specific law; the state has issued advisories against offshore online casinos.
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, etc.: Same as above; no specific law; grey area.
If you live in a grey area, you can play on international sites that accept Indian rupees and allow e-wallet deposits (like Paytm, Phonepe). Though not technically illegal, you have no consumer protection and may face account freezes or legal trouble.
Types of Online Casino Games & Their Legality
Poker (Cash & Tournament): Game of Skill (but also involves chance) – Legal in states that allow skill-based gaming (like Maharashtra & Karnataka).
Rummy: Game of Skill (involves strategy) – Legal in most states; considered a game of skill.
Fantasy Sports: Game of Skill (involves team selection) – Legal throughout India; as per a Supreme Court judgement in 2022, it is a game of skill.
How Offshore Operators Serve Indian Players
Licensing Outside India Operators based in Malta, Curacao, Gibraltar, or Sikkim often obtain offshore licences. While these licences do not guarantee legality under Indian law, they provide a regulatory framework that may reassure players. Sikkim-licensed platforms are the only ones that can claim a domestic Indian licence; however, they must host servers within the state and limit payments to Indian banks.
Payment Methods
Rupee-Based E-Wallets (Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay): Direct Indian rupee deposits; popular among Indian players. RBI monitors large transfers; some wallets block gambling-related transactions.
Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, USDT): Anonymised and borderless; used to bypass restrictions. RBI has warned against crypto for payments, but enforcement is limited.
International Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and prepaid cards. Some banks block gambling transactions; players may face chargebacks.
Bank Wire Transfers: Direct transfer to offshore accounts. Requires compliance with FEMA; often flagged for “remittance for gambling.”
Tax Implications for Players Winnings are considered “income from other sources” and are taxable at the individual’s marginal tax rate. Players should retain transaction records (deposits, withdrawals, winnings) for accurate tax filing. In the absence of a clear legal status, many players treat winnings as taxable but may not report them due to fear of scrutiny.
Risks and Consumer Protection
Legal Uncertainty: Operating in a grey-area state can lead to sudden enforcement actions. Verify the state’s stance before playing; prefer skill-based platforms.
Lack of Regulatory Oversight: Offshore operators may not be bound by Indian consumer-protection laws. Choose licensed operators (e.g., Sikkim-licensed) and read terms of service.
There are some things to be wary of when playing at an Indian online casino. Below, we have listed a few points to consider:
Payment Blockage: Banks and e-wallets may block accounts used for gambling. Make sure you have several payment methods available and keep records of all transactions.
Addiction & Problem Gambling: It is easy to develop a gambling problem when you have access to a casino anywhere and at any time. Make sure you set a deposit limit and use self-exclusion, and don’t hesitate to contact a professional organisation if you have or fear you might have issues.
Data Privacy: Unlicensed casinos may not take care of your personal data. Only play at casinos with a strong license and a transparent privacy policy.
There are a few different factors that will influence the future of online casino in India. Below, we have detailed some of the points we feel are most relevant.
Legislative Momentum
The hope is that a general “Online Gambling Bill” will soon be introduced.
This will create uniform regulations across the country, attempt to clearly define skill and chance, and create a national licensing system.
At the same time, there are some states looking to introduce their own licenses. So far, Sikkim and Goa have managed this. Karnataka is currently exploring the possibility of allowing licensed online betting on sports and games of skill.
In addition, Karnataka is currently reviewing gambling laws, with the aim of allowing licensed online betting on sports and skill games.
Technological Trends
The majority of internet users in India access the web using a smartphone.
For this reason, a “mobile first” approach is vital for online casinos. The use of the blockchain may provide a way to avoid the restrictions of traditional payment methods.
However, it is likely that cryptocurrency gambling will be targeted as soon as unlicensed sites become available.
AI-powered tools may be implemented to aid responsible gaming. This could become a requirement for those who are licensed.
Consumer Awareness
As the subject of gambling becomes less taboo, people are becoming more aware of the law. It is likely that we will see more education from state gambling authorities and NGOs. The focus will be on responsible gaming and abiding by the law.
Conclusion
The answer to is casino legal in india is not a simple yes or no.
At a Federal level, the existing law (Public Gambling Act 1867) technically prohibits all forms of gambling but doesn’t explicitly mention online casinos. This leaves the door open to interpretation.
The situation becomes even more complicated when you factor in state law.
While some allow and regulate online casinos (Sikkim and Goa) and others permit games of skill but prohibit games of chance (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal), some states completely prohibit online gambling (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Assam, Bihar, and several Union Territories). The rest remain in a grey area. For Indian players, the best way to go about things is to play games of skill at a site licensed in India (by Sikkim) or holding another reputable license.
In addition, always use secure payment options and keep a record of all your transactions for tax purposes.
Information and news about the legislative situation on a state-by-state basis is essential to safe and legal fun at an online casino.