🇮🇳 Gambling Laws in India (Overview)
📜 Legal Framework
Gambling in India is primarily governed by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a colonial-era law that prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house. However, gambling is a state subject, meaning individual states have the authority to make their own laws regarding betting and gambling.
🟥 Illegal Activities
- Most forms of sports betting (e.g., cricket) are illegal.
- Running or visiting a gambling house is prohibited under central law unless allowed by the state.
- Many states (e.g., Telangana, Andhra Pradesh) have enacted stricter laws banning both physical and online gambling.
🟩 Legal Exceptions
Some gambling-related activities are legally permitted:
✅ Horse Racing
- Considered a game of skill by Indian courts.
- Legal when conducted at licensed racecourses and through authorized bookmakers.
✅ Lottery
- Permitted in certain states (e.g., Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal).
- Regulated by the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998.
✅ Casinos
- Legal in a few states under state-specific laws:
- Goa
- Sikkim
- Daman
- Operate under government-issued licenses.
🌐 Online Gambling & Betting
- Not clearly regulated at the national level.
- Many foreign online betting sites (e.g., Bet365, Betway) are accessible in India and accept Indian users.
- Their legality is ambiguous — not officially permitted, but not explicitly banned in many regions.
- Some states (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Telangana) have banned online gambling altogether.
⚖️ Regulatory Outlook
- The Law Commission of India (2018) recommended legalizing and regulating betting and gambling to prevent black market activity and generate tax revenue.
- As of now, no comprehensive national legislation has been passed.
⚠️ Risks for Users
- Using offshore betting platforms comes with legal and financial risks, especially in states with stricter laws.
- Users have no legal protection if disputes arise with unlicensed platforms.
✅ Summary Table
| Activity | Legal Status in India |
|---|---|
| Horse race betting (licensed) | ✅ Legal |
| Lottery (state-approved) | ✅ Legal in some states |
| Casinos (Goa, Sikkim, Daman) | ✅ Legal in licensed zones |
| Sports betting (e.g., cricket) | ❌ Illegal |
| Online betting (offshore) | ⚠️ Legal grey area |