Before discussing the legalities of online gambling in India, a single statement would seem to be in order. “The issue of online gambling in India is about as complicated as an issue can get.”
Is Online Gambling Legal in India?
While all forms of gambling are technically illegal in India due in large part to some outdated laws passed in the mid-1800s, views on gambling have evolved in a country where traditions are locked in stone. That’s good news for gambling enthusiasts.
Since the mid-1800s, special laws have been enacted throughout the years to carve out special gambling privileges pertaining to games of skill (see definition below). It is noteworthy that the enforcement of Indian gambling laws is administered at the state level, which only serves to make this topic all the come complicated. For further information on these topics, you can view This site about Indian gambling.
The Definition Difference Between Types of Gambling
At the most basic level, gambling in India is viewed by the government at two levels: games of skill (strategy) and games of chance.
Games of skill refer to games like poker, dominos, other card games where strategy is required, chess, and horse racing. Yes, the government of India views horse race handicapping as a skill, which is why betting on horses in India is technically legal within the country’s borders. For gamblers who enjoy these “games of strategy”, there is quite a few legal brick and mortar, and online poker and horse racing websites in operation. Interestingly, sports betting is not viewed under these same terms.
As for games of chance, that would include slot and table games commonly available when visiting land based or online casinos. It would also include Bingo and lotteries, although online lottery sites are permitted. At this time, both brick and mortar and online casino operators are not permitted to secure gambling licenses from the Indian government.
Can India Residents Gamble Legally Online?
Technically, the answer to the titled question is “no.” India’s residents are not permitted by law to gamble online. That is where things get complicated because the reality is quite different in terms of what is going on in the country.
To say that Indians love to gamble would be an understatement. Despite the risks, tens of millions of Indians love to participate in at least one form of gambling. Poker is extremely popular as is playing the horses. What is also extremely popular is sports betting and playing online casino games of chance for real money.
Since India does not serve as a sponsor for online gambling through licensing, India residents are forced to visit online gambling websites that are currently operating from other countries. While this is technically an illegal activity, no one has ever been prosecuted for gambling online from India. It should come as no surprise that Indians heavily prefer gambling with UK based online gambling websites.
Finding Online Gambling Sites That Cater to India Residents
When an entire country fails to legalize online gambling activities for its residents, the UK online gambling community typically falls in line and blocks said gamblers from having access to its websites. In the eyes of the UK online gambling community, India is one of the key exceptions.
As stated above, Indians love to gamble. This fact has not been lost on online sports and casino website operators that are operating from the UK. In most cases, India’s residents are welcomed with open arms. So much so that Indians gamblers should have no problem finding UK online gambling sites that provide access through Indian dialects and permit Indian gamblers to interact business with rupees.
Indian gamblers should be advised that they are not offered the same protections as UK gamblers when gambling through a UK based online gambling site. They must always be wary of rogue online operators that would take advantage of gamblers who are not entitled to the same protections as UK residents. The best an Indian gambler can do for their own protection is to confine their online gambling activities to online operators that are regulated by companies and government agencies like eCogra, TST, UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Government of Gibraltar or Curacao. By doing so, they are assured of some basic protections through the regulations that are bestowed on UK operators through these organizations.
It is very unclear if online gambling will ever be legalized in India. If it never happens, Indian gamblers should know they always have someplace to go.
