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Is Gambling Legal in India? Laws Explained (2026)

India's gambling laws changed dramatically in 2026. As of 1 May 2026, a new central law — the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA) — imposes a complete, nationwide ban on all online money games, whether they're games of skill or chance. That outlaws online real-money rummy, poker, fantasy sports betting, casino play and crypto gambling across the whole country, with criminal penalties. Offline gambling remains a state-by-state patchwork — legal casinos exist in Goa and Sikkim, and lotteries in 13 states — but the online real-money era in India has, for now, been shut down.

Gambling law in India at a glance (2026)

  • PROGA (in force 1 May 2026) bans all online money games — skill or chance — nationwide.
  • It also bans their advertising and payment processing, and applies to offshore operators.
  • Penalties: up to 3 years' jail and a ₹1 crore fine; offences are cognizable and non-bailable.
  • The old Public Gambling Act, 1867 still governs offline gambling where states have no law of their own.
  • Gambling is a state subject — Goa and Sikkim allow casinos; 13 states run lotteries.
  • E-sports and free social/casual games are exempt from the online ban.

Is gambling legal in India?

Mostly no — and much less than a year ago. Online real-money gambling is now banned across India under PROGA (effective 1 May 2026). Offline, it depends on the state: casinos are legal in Goa and Sikkim, state lotteries operate in 13 states, and horse-race betting has historically been treated as a game of skill. Everything else — private betting, most online play — is prohibited under the 1867 Act and state laws. For the wider picture of where gambling is legal, see our gambling laws by country map.

What is the PROGA online-gaming ban?

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 — which received presidential assent on 22 August 2025 and came into force on 1 May 2026 — is the defining change. It imposes a total prohibition on all "online money games": any online game where players pay money or a stake in the expectation of winnings, regardless of whether it's a game of skill, chance, or both.

Crucially, the Act goes further than banning play:

  • It bans advertising of online money games.
  • It bans banks and payment processors from handling related transactions.
  • It applies extraterritorially — offshore operators serving Indian users are covered.
  • Offences are cognizable and non-bailable, with up to three years' imprisonment and a ₹1 crore fine.

It carves out e-sports (competitive video gaming under recognised bodies) and free social/casual games that don't involve staking money.

Skill vs chance — does it still matter?

For decades, India's gambling law hinged on a distinction: games of skill (rummy, fantasy sports, poker) were largely legal under Supreme Court precedent, while games of chance (cricket betting, roulette, dice) were illegal. In 2026 that distinction was effectively erased for online play. The Supreme Court held that the moment money is staked on the uncertain outcome of any game, it is betting and gambling — skill or not — and upheld the states' (and now the centre's) power to ban online money gaming. PROGA codifies exactly that: if real money is at stake online, it's banned.

The big shift: "it's a game of skill" was the legal shield India's real-money gaming industry relied on. As of 2026, that shield is gone for anything played for money online — the stake itself is now what makes it illegal.

What about casinos and lotteries?

Offline gambling is a state subject under the Constitution, so it varies. Goa and Sikkim license casinos (Goa's are famously on offshore riverboats and in five-star hotels); Sikkim and 12 other states run legal lotteries. Horse racing has generally been treated as a game of skill and permitted at licensed racecourses. Everywhere else, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 — or the state's own law — bans running or visiting a "common gaming house." So a physical casino in Goa is legal; the same games online are not.

Is crypto gambling or online betting legal?

No. Crypto casinos and online betting fall squarely within PROGA's ban on online money games — the currency you stake doesn't change the legal position, and using crypto to evade the payment-processing ban is itself targeted by the law. Offshore crypto and betting sites that accept Indian players are also covered by the Act's extraterritorial reach, and the government has moved to block such sites and their payments. For how these platforms actually operate, see our guide on how crypto casinos work — but note that using them from India is now illegal.

How is gambling taxed in India?

Even as the ban takes hold, India's tax rules on gaming remain punishing. Since 1 October 2023, a 28% GST applies to the full face value of bets in real-money games (not just the operator's margin), and winnings are taxed at a flat 30% TDS on net winnings under Section 115BBJ of the Income Tax Act. The Supreme Court in 2026 also upheld the retrospective application of that 28% GST on the full value of bets — a major blow to operators. For how much players lose to gambling elsewhere, see our losses by country data.

Frequently asked questions

Is online gambling legal in India in 2026?

No. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (PROGA), in force since 1 May 2026, bans all online money games nationwide — skill or chance — including real-money rummy, poker, fantasy betting, casino play and crypto gambling.

Are casinos legal in India?

Offline casinos are legal only in Goa and Sikkim, which license them. Everywhere else, running or visiting a gaming house is banned under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, or state law.

Is fantasy sports still legal in India?

Paid real-money fantasy sports is now banned under PROGA, which treats any online game played for money as gambling. Free-to-play and e-sports competitions that don't involve staking money are exempt.

Is crypto gambling legal in India?

No. Crypto casinos and betting fall under PROGA's ban on online money games, and the Act applies to offshore operators serving Indian users. Using them from India is illegal.

How is gambling taxed in India?

A 28% GST applies to the full face value of real-money bets (since October 2023), and winnings are taxed at a flat 30% TDS on net winnings. The Supreme Court upheld the retrospective 28% GST in 2026.

Sources

Note: This page is general information, not legal advice. Indian gambling law changed substantially in 2026 and remains contested in the courts — always verify current rules with official sources before acting. 18+ · Gamble responsibly.