IGaming in India is regulated by the states of the country at their own discretion. Note that the law on gambling, adopted back in 1867, is often referred to as the central legislative document. According to it, the activity of public gambling houses is illegal. However, different states have different legal forms of gambling.
Casino
Gaming products in this category of casino games include poker and bingo.
Slots and table games
The list of casino games includes slot machines and table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat and other types of card and table gambling entertainment. They are regulated by the Gambling Act and are treated as gambling by most states. However, in 2008, Sikkim passed the Online Gaming Law, which ushered in a new era in the legalization of gambling. Under it, the Department of Finance, Revenue and Expenditure of the State of Sikkim has gained the right to regulate online gaming, and licensed operators can legally provide a variety of options, including roulette, blackjack and casino bragging.
This state also regulates gambling in land-based casinos under the Sikkim Casino Law passed in 2002. The functions of the regulator of offline casino activities are performed by the Department of Tourism.
Also, land-based casino games are regulated in other states, such as Goa, Daman and Diu. In Goa, regulation is handled by the Ministry of the Interior under the Goa, Daman and Diu Gambling Law, passed in 1976. Unlike Goa, in Daman and Diu, the tourism department acts as a regulator.
Poker
Because poker is considered a game of skill, it is not regulated in most states in India. However, Nagaland is the only state that regulates online skill games.
Poker is illegal in the state. The fact is that the state adopted a law in 2016 that prohibits gambling and advertising in Nagaland, as well as the regulation of professional online gaming. Unlike the online version, land-based poker is categorized as a skill game and is legal in most states.
Bingo
Depending on the format, the states determine the legality of the game. For example, if a bingo format falls under the definition of a lottery, it is considered legal in most states in both offline and online casinos. But if the format falls under the general definitions of gaming rules in your state, then it will be considered illegal and prohibited in online casinos and offline casinos.
Sports betting
Betting is a general term for all forms of betting on casino games.
In most states of India, except for Sikkim, Goa, Daman and Diu, gambling in casinos is prohibited. While sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports and other options are governed by different rules.
Sports betting/horse racing
Sports betting is permitted in Sikkim, and the Department of Finance, Revenue and Expenditures oversees compliance with the State Law. However, sports betting as a game of skill is still pending approval from the Supreme Court of India and is only legal in Sikkim.
Whereas, betting on horse racing (when regulated separately from other forms of sports betting) can be considered a game of skill, which would make it legal in most states.
There are currently no rules for betting on horse racing in India, so players can bet through the racetracks. They host matches that govern bets on horse racing. Turf clubs operate under licensing laws in their states
Fantasy betting
Some online fantasy betting formats are categorized as games of skill and are legal in most states with the exception of the state of Nagaland. However, other formats are considered games of chance and are therefore prohibited by government regulations. In most cases, fantasy bets are applied only in online casinos.
Lotteries
Lotteries organized by the states are legal in India. While some lottery formats are considered skill games and are legal in most states, Nagaland is an exception, which has an online skill game licensing regime.
In the state of Sikkim, land-based lotteries are subject to regulation, while online lotteries are allowed in Punjab. In other states, such as Madhya Pradesh, there is a total ban on lotteries. And Bihar also banned lotteries in accordance with the law adopted back in 1993. Some states such as Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra allow non-commercial lotteries. That being said, lotteries, especially those organized by state governments, are generally considered legal in India.
When applying gambling laws in India, the governments of the respective states can formulate their own rules.
The legality of gambling in Sikkim, Nagaland, Goa, Daman and Diu is ensured by the presence of a license.
The law prohibits gambling in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
State laws determine whether a license is required or illegal.
The horse racing license is valid throughout India.
Lotteries are allowed in states such as: Keral, Sikkim, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Manipur, Maharashtra, Mizoram, West Bengal, Meghalai and Nagaland.
According to the Telangana Gambling Law of 1974, skill games are prohibited in Telangana and Arunachala.
The Bombay Gambling Prevention Act, in force since 1887, banned gambling in Maharashtra.
Electronic games are legal in Sikkim and Nagaland.
Since the passage of the Gambling Act in 1867, many states have independently developed unique rules that govern gambling and betting in their jurisdictions. Therefore, there is no consensus on the legality and illegality of gambling, and it all depends on the rules in force in a given state. Thus, some states have made both skill games and gambling legal, while others have banned all forms of betting except non-commercial social gambling. That said, there is nothing stopping players in India from joining the army of independent brands of offshore online casinos.
As for land-based gambling, they are banned throughout India, with the exception of the states of Sikkim, Goa, Daman, Diu and Nagaland.
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