Is Betting Legal in India? Understanding Online Betting Laws (2024)

In this guide, we will delve into online betting laws in India, suggest some of the best legal betting sites, and discuss what the future holds regarding further legislation in the country. Read on below for answers to all your burning questions!

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20 Best Legal Betting Sites in India

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Online betting has witnessed significant growth in India, with a projected revenue of USD 0.82 billion in 2023. However, this thriving market faces several hurdles in the absence of clear laws, leaving things slightly unclear for punters as to where they stand legally.

In reality, online betting regulations in India are marked by ambiguity. This lack of clarity often deters potential bettors as they remain in a dilemma.

In this section, we will explain the existing gambling and betting regulations surrounding the current legal landscape in the country. We'll also help you determine whether online betting is legally permissible in your specific region.

A. Central Laws

The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is India's primary law concerning betting as a whole. However, as it was drawn up well before the advent of the internet, it does not specifically address the legality of online betting in the country, nor does it explicitly declare it illegal.

B. State Laws

The 7th Schedule of the Constitution allows each state to make its own rules about gambling and betting.

As a result, some states have recently formed their own regulations. Here are some important points to note:

  • Offline casinos are legal in Goa, Daman, and Sikkim. Everywhere else, they are illegal.
  • Online domestic casinos are legal in Sikkim and Meghalaya, provided they have valid licences.
  • Online domestic casinos are illegal in every other part of the country.
  • Offshore casinos and betting sites online are not prohibited except in Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

C. The Reserve Bank

To address online betting within the country, FDI policies were drafted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to regulate the flow of money from Indian companies engaging in betting, lotteries, and gambling activities.

However, these rules generally don't apply to betting apps or sites based outside India, such as 10CRIC, BetWinner, and Parimatch. This means that you should be able to access the latter without facing any legal repercussions.

In summary, just like with the central laws, there's no specific policy from the Reserve Bank of India that clearly says online betting is illegal.

Cricket market on 10cric website

(Source: 10CRIC)

If you sign up to any bookmaker listed in our above table, you can legally bet on cricket without any legal consequences. However, it's worth checking your local state laws for any updates on online betting.

Offline Betting vs Online Betting: Differences in Legislation

A screenshot showing the different offers available on 10cric website

(Source: 10cric)
  • In India, the legislation governing offline and online betting varies significantly from state to state.
  • Offline betting, which includes activities like casinos, horse racing, and lotteries, is subject to state laws.
  • Some states and UTs, such as Goa, Sikkim and Daman, permit these activities and have legal casinos and horse racing. Lotteries are also legal in these states.
  • However, in states like West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Telangana, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, casinos are illegal. In several others, there is no clear legislation yet.
  • Despite this, lotteries and betting on horse races are legal in Indian states. However, there are no explicit state or central laws that confirm outright whether online betting legal in India or not. Therefore, the legal landscape remains relatively ambiguous.

Domestic online betting platforms are generally not legal in most states (except Sikkim and Meghalaya), but the situation is different for offshore or international bookmakers. This means that many Indian players (except residents of Tamil Nadu and Telangana) can access and use international online betting platforms, which operate outside the ambit of Indian laws and regulations.

As of the time of writing, this is an overarching picture of some Indian states where online gambling is legal and states where it isn’t.

  • Domestic online casinos are deemed legal in Sikkim and Meghalaya, provided they have valid licences from their respective governments.
  • International online casinos are considered legal across India, except Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
  • States that have passed some form of legislation and regulation in favour of online gambling are Kerala, Delhi, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
  • States where online gambling is expressly illegal are Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

From payment confidentiality to data safety, top bookmakers go the extra mile to ensure that you have an exciting and safe wagering experience online.

However, it is always better if you know how to tell a legal betting site from an illegal platform. To that end, here’s a basic checklist to ensure that you're in safe hands:

  • Check for valid licences from reputed regulatory bodies like the UKGC, Malta Gaming Authority, or the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
  • Check for the availability of common India-specific payment methods like UPI, PhonePe, Visa, or GPay.
  • Check for robust security measures such as SSL certificates (denoted by “https://” in the URL) and minimum 128-bit encryption.
  • Ensure the bookie offers efficient customer support.
  • Check if the site has an account verification process.
  • Read any site reviews from other customers about the site in question, and look up ratings on third-party platforms such as Trustpilot and ScamAdviser.

Games of Chance vs Games of Skill

  • Games of chance, such as lotteries and roulette, depend largely on luck with minimal skill involved.
  • On the other hand, games of skill are quite the opposite and require knowledge, experience, and smart decision-making. Examples here would be poker, rummy, fantasy sports, and horse racing.
  • The legality surrounding games of chance varies by state. For instance, Maharashtra and West Bengal have legalised lotteries, while Goa and Sikkim permit casinos to operate within their borders.

Betting on games of skill is generally legal across the country, except in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, which have banned all forms of betting, online and offline. NOTE that this does not apply to horse racing.

Casino games

Just like sports betting, the legality of online casinos depends on whether they are domestic or international platforms.

Registration of online casinos in India is currently illegal, except in Sikkim and Meghalaya. However, Indians can access operators based offshore without encountering legal issues.

VISIT RAJABETS

Several High Courts, including those in Punjab and Haryana, Bombay, and Rajasthan, and the Supreme Court have upheld the legality of fantasy sports platforms like Dream11. They have emphasised that these games are primarily skill-based, requiring players to use their knowledge and strategic thinking.

In light of these court rulings, therefore, it has been established that fantasy sports games are lawful.

  • Horse race in India is considered a game of skill.
  • Despite this, however, not all states and union territories have legalised it.
  • Here are the states and union territories where it is legal: Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, Daman and Diu, Sikkim.
  • In all other states and union territories, it remains illegal.

NOTE: This law does not apply to offline online betting sites.

VISIT PARIMATCH

Indian courts, recognising rummy and poker as skill-based card games rather than luck-dependent, have generally ruled them legal due to their emphasis on skill and strategy.

However, in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, these games have been banned by state legislation.

VISIT FUN88

Is online gambling legal in India? In a word, yes, it is, provided you only play on bookmakers that are headquartered outside of India and affiliated with reputed regulatory jurisdictions. To that end, below is a list of some of the best legal online betting sites in India where you can play with total peace of mind.

Live Betting SitesFounded InClaim BonusLicensed By
20bet-logo2018100% up to ₹9,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Melbet-logo2012100% up to ₹20,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Rajabet-logo2021150% up to ₹1,00,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
BC.Game-logo2019360% up to ₹17,00,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Sportsbet.io-logo2016Win ₹4,200 Free Bets Weekly

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
10cric-logo2013100% up to ₹30,000 + ₹1,000 Free Bets

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Paripesa-logo2020100% up to ₹8,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Parimatch-logo1994150% up to ₹20,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Fun88-logo2009150% up to ₹50,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Crickex-logo2019₹1,200 Referral Bonus

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Dafabet-logo2004200% up to ₹20,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board and UKGC
22bet-logo2017100% up to ₹11,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Playzilla-logo2021100% up to ₹10,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Rabona-logo2019100% up to ₹8,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Betwinner-logo2018100% up to ₹8,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Jungliwin-logo2022Special Free Bets up to ₹15,000 + 50 FS
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
leonbet-logo2007200% up to ₹20,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Vbet-logo2003100% up to ₹10,000Malta Gaming Authority
Megapari-logo2019100% up to ₹17,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Mostbet-logo2009100% up to ₹25,000 + 250 FS
Curaçao Gaming Control Board

Here are some of the best and most popular legal betting apps in India.

Live Betting SitesFounded InClaim BonusLicensed By
20bet-logo2018100% up to ₹9,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Parimatch-logo1994150% up to ₹20,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Rajabet-logo2021150% up to ₹1,00,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
BC.Game-logo2019360% up to ₹17,00,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Melbet-logo2012100% up to ₹20,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
10cric-logo2013100% up to ₹30,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Paripesa-logo2020100% up to ₹8,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board
22bet-logo2017100% up to ₹11,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Fun88-logo2009150% up to ₹50,000
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Dafabet-logo2004200% up to ₹20,000

Curaçao Gaming Control Board and UKGC

How is Online Gambling in India Taxed?

In a significant development, the 50th GST Council meeting in July 2023 addressed a long-pending issue by recommending a tax framework for online gambling, casinos, and horse racing in India.

After considering a report from the Group of Ministers (GoM) dedicated to this matter, the GST Council made crucial recommendations regarding the taxation of these activities.

As a result, it was decided that a uniform GST rate of 28% would now apply to online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.

Restricted Betting Sites in India

  • bet365
  • BetVictor
  • Ladbrokes
  • William Hill
  • Betfair
  • Betway

Online Betting Legality in India: Possible Outlook

The future of online betting in India is evolving due to increased regulatory scrutiny. While the industry is growing, the Indian government is concerned about misleading advertising practices by some betting platforms and has initiated actions to ban such ads.

Recent amendments in April 2023 highlight the need for a self-regulatory body (SRB) verification in India's online gaming industry. This means better protection for those who bet online, which is good news!

Moreoever, states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, who have already decided against legalisation, are in the minority, and it doesn't look like there will be a nationwide ban any time soon.

Cricket Betting Advice Final Say

By now, we hope that you have a better understanding of the laws regarding online betting in India. After all, arming yourself with knowledge is key to enjoying a safe and secure gambling environment!

Remember to thoroughly research bookmakers before creating an account, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true!

Is Online Betting Legal in India FAQs

Is online gambling legal in India?

To directly answer the question, is online gambling legal in India? Yes, it is, provided you use an overseas bookmaker to place bets.

Betting laws in India vary from state to state. Casinos are only legal in Sikkim, Daman, and Goa. Lotteries and horse racing are legal in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Mizoram, among others, while there is a total ban on all gambling activities in Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Is online betting legal in India?

It depends on whether you are betting on offshore online betting sites or domestic ones. Offshore cricket betting in India is legal in all states except Tamil Nadu and Telangana. However, when it comes to domestic sites, online betting is forbidden in all states except Sikkim and Meghalaya.

Which are the best legal betting sites in India?

Our recommendations for the best legal gambling sites in India are the ones we have suggested in this article. However, if you were to ask us to narrow it down further, we’d go with 20Bet, 10CRIC, Melbet, Parimatch, Betwinner, Paripesa, Dafabet, and Fun88.

Which are the best legal betting apps in India?

20Bet, 10CRIC, Betwinner, Dafabet, Melbet, Parimatch, and Fun88 are among the best legal betting apps in India at the moment.

Is cricket betting legal in India?

Betting on cricket is legal in India provided you use an international online bookie with a valid licence. Check our recommendations above. However, for residents of Tamil Nadu and Telangana, it is illegal.

Is Betway legal in India?

Since Betway is an offshore online bookmaker, it is theoretically legal in India. It was also legal in Karnataka until some months ago. However, due to publicly unknown reasons, the bookie has recently stopped offering its services in India.

Is Dafabet legal in India?

Yes, Dafabet, being an offshore betting site, is legal across all regions of India except Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Is 10CRIC legal in India?

Besides Tamil Nadu and Telangana, 10CRIC is legal in every other Indian state and UT.

Is Parimatch India legal?

Not only is Parimatch legal in India, but it is also one of the most popular betting sites here, thanks to several free bet offers and other promotions. However, if you reside in Tamil Nadu or Telangana, it is illegal to access this site.

Is 1xBet legal in India?

Yes, 1xBet is legal in all of India, barring Telangana and Tamil Nadu. It is preferred by many Indian punters due to its convenient payment options and an excellent sports welcome bonus. To know more about this popular bookmaker, read our comprehensive 1xBet review.

Is there a Bet365 ban in India?

Bet365 is not officially banned in India, but the bookie itself has chosen to cease its services here. The decision stems from the evolving regulatory landscape and challenges related to financial transactions with Indian banks, prompting Bet365 to stop accepting Indian players.

Is gambling legal in India? Are online casino games legal in India?

Barring Telangana and Tamil Nadu, gambling is safe and legit in the country, provided you only play on legal gambling sites in India.

What are the most popular online betting games in India?

Besides fantasy sports betting, some of the most popular online casino betting games in India are poker, rummy, roulette, and Teen Patti.

Is IPL betting legal in India?

Yes. Residents of India, except Tamil Nadu and Telangana, can legally bet on IPL games on offshore online betting sites.

Are winnings from online gambling taxed in India?

Yes, in India, winnings from games of chance and skill, including online gambling, are subject to a GST rate of 28%.

Is satta legal in India?

Satta is illegal in India, but if you find a variant of the game at an offshore online betting site, you can play the game legally. However, residents of Tamil Nadu and Telangana are forbidden from playing any variant of this game for real money online.

What are the best cricket betting sites in Bangladesh?

Our recommendations for the best betting sites in Bangladesh include Melbet, Parimatch, and Dafabet.

What are the best cricket betting sites in Pakistan?

There are several top cricket betting sites in Pakistan, like 1xBet, Fun88 and 20Bet.

Further Reading

  1. Top 49 Cricket Betting Sites in India (2024 Update) Planning to bet on your team this cricket-heavy season? Before...
  2. The 26 Best Cricket Betting Apps in India for Android & iOS (2024) Ready to explore the epitome of cricket betting excitement? Here...
  3. Top 18 Bookies for Online Betting in Pakistan (2024) Looking to unlock the world of online betting in Pakistan?...

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