Ans: Is online gambling legal in India? Fines and jail risk

Is online gambling legal in India? Yes, in certain states, online casinos are legal, and playing them does not violate the law.

What happens if you get caught playing online casinos? What penalties might you face? How much is the fine? Could you end up in jail? Bro, let's dive into this and learn more!

What is online gambling?

The key feature of online gambling is that you can bet real money 1:1 on various real casino games or sports events, and players can freely "deposit" and "withdraw" money on the website.

Common gambling games include: roulette, sic bo, baccarat, Rummy, Teen Patti, Andar Bahar, cricket betting, horse racing, esports competitions, lotteries, slots, Aviator, and hundreds of other crash and card games.

Is online gambling legal in India?

Online gambling laws vary across India's 36 administrative regions (28 states + 8 union territories), with different regulations in each state.

There are 5 states where online gambling is legal; 5 states where it is illegal; and 26 states fall into the gray area.

💡 Gray area = These states do not have explicit legal provisions stating that online gambling is illegal; The Public Gambling Act of 1867 only regulates physical gambling establishments and does not mention online gambling.

Which Indian states allow online gambling?

There are 5 states in India where online gambling is allowed: Goa, Daman and Diu, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.

💡 What's special is that Nagaland only allows the operation of "skill-based" gambling games! Games like, Texas Hold'em, Rummy, or quiz-type games, etc.

Other states allow the legal operation of online casinos with a license, offering games of luck like roulette, baccarat, sports betting, etc

Indian states where gambling online is banned

As of 2025, there are 5 Indian states with clear legal provisions banning online gambling: Odisha, Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

💡The laws in these states explicitly prohibit online casinos, not to mention that physical casinos are also banned. However, some underground or private casinos may still operate secretly, though they remain illegal.

Gray-area gambling states in India

With no clear legal restrictions in place across 26 Indian states and territories, online gambling exists in gray area, meaning players can engage without concern for legal trouble.

The main reason you won’t get caught: The laws in these states only impose restrictions on physical casinos, with no specific regulations addressing online platforms.

💡 Central Law refers to legislation enacted by the central government of India that applies nationwide. Each state has the authority to adopt it as is, amend it, or create its own version.

The Central Law, The Public Gambling Act of 1867, only applies to "physical casinos" and makes no mention of "online gambling." So if you're placing bets on your phone, there's not much to worry about!

Penalty for online gambling in India

How much fine for gambling?
If you're caught gambling online in a state where it’s explicitly banned, players may be fined between ₹500 and ₹5,000 (depending on whether it's a first-time or repeat offense). In most cases, paying a ₹500 fine is enough to walk away.

Very few players ever face short-term imprisonment, and even then, it rarely exceeds one year. Jail time is usually reserved for "casino operators" or individuals involved in more serious offenses.

Can you go to jail for online gambling in India?

If you're caught in a state where online gambling is banned, both players and operators could face the risk of short-term imprisonment (up to one year).

That said, police usually don’t target players. Most of the people who end up in jail are online "casino operators" who have been involved in serious offenses or caught multiple times.

Are There Any Cases of People Getting Caught for Online Gambling in India?

Yes, there have been actual cases of people getting caught for online gambling in India. However, it's usually not the players who get arrested. The police typically go after the operators running the online gambling platforms.

News Case of an Online Gambling Arrest:

An online casino was reported by local residents, leading to a police raid! Many online operators tend to run their businesses discreetly from office buildings or residential apartments. The main operators are often active 24/7 with no rest, which naturally raises suspicion and attracts attention.

Physical Casino Arrest Case (1):

Delhi police uncovered a gambling group in Govindpuri, South Delhi, arresting a total of 11 individuals. The group was mainly involved in betting on number-based games.

If you're gambling in a private casino, chances are both you and the dealer are getting busted—nobody’s slipping away! It’s a risky move.

Physical Casino Arrest Case (2):

Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) personnel arrested seven people who were gambling.

The arrests took place in a shed in Alanthabettu, under the jurisdiction of Moodbidri Police Station, where they were playing Andar-Bahar.

No matter where the gambling happens, there's always a risk of getting caught. Whether it's a large gathering or a small one, it's still illegal.

Online Casinos You Can Play Without Legal Risk

• BC.Game
  Holds a Curacao gambling license and is recognized as an international offshore platform. There are no specific laws in India that prohibit its use.
• Vegas11
  One of the legally licensed companies from Costa Rica, also certified by GEO TRUST as a secure website. It features endorsements from Indian influencers and even sponsors local Indian cricket teams for free.
• Parimatch
  Licensed in Curacao and has partnerships with top football teams, like, Chelsea Football Club.
• 1xBet
  Also licensed by Curacao, with an official partnership with FC Barcelona and a solid base of loyal users.

Among all the international platforms, Vegas11 Casino stands out as the top recommendation—trusted locally in India and considered the safest option for online gaming.

With countless Indian influencers promoting it, you know it’s the real deal—secure, trustworthy, and fast with withdrawals. If it weren’t safe, you wouldn’t see it all over your feed, right?