Introduction
The legality of online casinos in India varies by state, as each state has the authority to create its own laws regarding gambling. Below is a table summarizing the legal status of online casinos across different states in India, along with any specific regulations or acts governing online gambling.
Casino Game Development Company
| State | Legal Status of Online Casinos | Regulation/Act |
| Andhra Pradesh | Illegal | Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974 (Amendment 2020) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Assam | Illegal | Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970 |
| Bihar | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Chhattisgarh | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Goa | Legal (with regulation) | Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976 |
| Gujarat | Illegal | Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 |
| Haryana | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Himachal Pradesh | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Jharkhand | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Karnataka | Illegal | Karnataka Police Act, 1963 (Amendment 2021) |
| Kerala | Illegal | Kerala Gaming Act, 1960 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Maharashtra | Illegal | Bombay Wager Act, 1867 |
| Manipur | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Meghalaya | Legal (with regulation) | Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 |
| Mizoram | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Nagaland | Legal (for games of skill) | Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2016 |
| Odisha | Illegal | Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955 |
| Punjab | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Rajasthan | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Sikkim | Legal (with regulation) | Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008 |
| Tamil Nadu | Illegal | Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930 (Amendment 2021) |
| Telangana | Illegal | Telangana State Gaming Act, 1974 (Amendment 2017) |
| Tripura | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Uttar Pradesh | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| Uttarakhand | Undefined | No specific regulation |
| West Bengal | Legal (for games of skill) | West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957 |
Key Points on the Legality of Online Casinos in India:
1. Public Gambling Act of 1867:
This is a federal law that prohibits operating or being in charge of a public gaming house. However, this law was established long before the advent of the internet and does not specifically address online gambling.
The Act does not explicitly mention online casinos or internet gambling, leading to a gray area in legal interpretation.
2. State Regulations:
Since gambling is a state subject in India, each state has the authority to regulate or prohibit gambling activities, including online gambling.
Some states, like Sikkim and Goa, have specific laws allowing and regulating certain forms of gambling, including online gambling to a limited extent.
Nagaland has issued licenses for online games of skill, which include poker and other card games.
3. Skill-Based vs. Chance-Based Games:
Indian law distinguishes between games of skill and games of chance. Games of skill are generally allowed, while games of chance are often prohibited.
Some games like poker and rummy are considered games of skill by certain state courts, making them legal to play online. However, this distinction can vary by state.
4. Foreign-Based Online Casinos:
Many online casinos that accept Indian players are based in other countries where online gambling is legal and regulated.
While it is not explicitly illegal for Indian players to gamble on these foreign websites, the legal status remains unclear because Indian law does not specifically prohibit it.
5. Current Developments:
The legality of online gambling in India is an evolving topic. There have been discussions about introducing regulations for online gambling at both the state and national levels, but comprehensive legislation has yet to be enacted.
.png?raw=true)
Conclusion
If you are interested in developing online casino games that comply with regional laws and regulations, explore our casino game development services. Our team of experts can help you navigate the complex legal landscape and create engaging, legally compliant games tailored to your market.
