Playing online casinos for real money is not legal in India right now. The Online Gaming Act, 2025, has made it clear that all online gambling with money is not allowed anywhere in the country.
You can play fantasy casinos online that do not need real money to play, and offline casinos offer real money play too.
This article is only to help you understand the law. We do not support or encourage any online gambling.
Is Online Casino Legal in India in 2026?
Online money games are banned in India, and this rule applies to every state in the country.
The PROGA controls all online sites that offer gaming. Here’s a list of what’s allowed and what’s not:
| Activity | Legal Status in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online casinos (real money) | ❌ Not Legal |
| Online betting | ❌ Not Legal |
| Poker & rummy with money | ❌ Not Legal |
| Fantasy sports (paid) | ❌ Limited |
| Free games / social games | ✅ Legal |
| E-sports tournaments | ✅ Legal |
There were problems with fraud, addiction, and criminals using these sites to hide money. Many users got trapped in scams and that is why indian government came up with new gambling laws in 2025.
Online Gambling Laws in India
India now has rules against online gambling, controlled by both the central government and state governments.
Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
This law was made to control online gaming across India. The goal is to stop gambling, keep people safe, and stop criminals from using gaming sites for bad activities.
The government did this to keep people safe because many players lost money to fake sites. If you get caught, you could face problems like your bank account getting frozen or your payments getting blocked.
Also, many foreign sites refuse to pay winnings to Indian players, and you cannot get your money back through law.
Offline games still follow state rules. So what happens in a real casino in Goa, for example, is different from what you can do online.
State-Wise Rules for Online Casino in India
The central law covers all of India, but some states have their own rules.
| State | Online Casino Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Telangana | ❌ Banned | Players can be punished |
| Andhra Pradesh | ❌ Not allowed | Rules enforced |
| Tamil Nadu | ❌ Not allowed | Banned many times |
| Maharashtra | ❌ Not allowed | Gambling laws apply |
| Goa | ❌ Online banned | Only real casinos allowed |
| Sikkim | ❌ Online not allowed | Land-based only |
| Other states | ❌ Limited | Central law applies |
You should know that gambling is a State Subject in India, means each state can make its own rules. The central government sets the rules with, but states can have harder punishments if they want.
Whether it’s Betting or Casino and both are illegal in most states in India in 2026.
What Happens If You Play Online Casino in India?
The news is that players are not the main target of this law. The police mainly go after the websites and their owners. But there are still risks for players.
| Risk Type | What Can Happen |
|---|---|
| Bank account | Frozen temporarily or forever |
| Payments | Withdrawals fail |
| Winnings | No way to get money back |
| Taxes | You still have to pay tax |
| Personal info | Risk of scams |
If banks or police see payments linked to gambling sites, they can freeze your account for some time or forever.
If you think playing online casino anonymously can spare you from these laws, that might not work as you expect.
Many players say their withdrawals failed or their accounts got blocked after winning money. Since the activity is not legal, you have no way to get your winnings back.
Your personal and bank details are also in danger because these sites often sell user information or use it for fraud.
Source: The Hindu
Legal Alternatives to Online Casinos
If you like casino-style games, there are still ways to play without breaking the law:
- Free-to-play casino games: Many phone apps and websites have casino games where you don’t use real money. You play with fake coins or points for fun.
- Social gaming apps: These are games you play with friends where no real money is used. They’re for entertainment.
- E-sports competitions: Video game tournaments are legal. Some even give prize money, as long as they follow rules.
- Skill games without money: Games that test your skills, like puzzles or quiz games, are allowed as long as there’s no betting.
These options let you enjoy gaming without risks or losing real money to scams.
How To Play Online Casinos
Despite the ban, some offshore websites still allow Indian players to access online casinos. Here’s the process these sites follow:
Step 1: Create an account: You need to sign up using your email address or phone number.
Step 2: Verify your identity: Many sites ask you to upload documents like Aadhaar card, PAN card, or driving license.
Step 3: Download the app: Since Google Play doesn’t allow gambling apps for Indian users, you have to download these apps from the website directly.
Step 4: Make a deposit: These sites accept Indian payment methods like UPI, Paytm, PhonePe, and bank transfers. Some also accept cryptocurrency.
Step 6: Claim bonuses: Most sites offer welcome bonuses.
For example, deposit ₹1,000 and get ₹1,000 extra. But these bonuses come with conditions.
You often need to bet 30 to 50 times the bonus amount before you can withdraw money from an online casino.
Popular games include:
Slots: These are the easiest games. You pick a slot machine, set your bet amount, and spin. Sites often show RTP percentages. A 96% RTP means the machine pays back ₹96 for every ₹100 bet over time.
Baccarat: This is a card game where you bet on either “Player” or “Banker.” The side that gets closest to 9 wins. Banker bets usually have better odds.
Craps: This is a dice game. The basic bet is on the “Come Out” roll. You bet on whether the shooter will roll a 7 or 11 (win) or 2, 3, or 12 (lose).
However, remember that all of this is illegal in India. You have no legal protection if something goes wrong.
Tax Rules on Online Casino Winnings in India
Here’s something many people don’t know: even if online casinos are not legal, winnings from them are still taxable.
The Income Tax Act says you must pay 30% tax on any money from gambling or games, legal or not.
This might sound strange, but tax rules and gambling rules are different. The government expects you to report this money in your tax papers.
If you play on a site that works legally (even if it’s foreign), they might take out TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) before paying you. But most sites don’t do this. That means you must report the income yourself.
When you file your ITR (Income Tax Return), you need to show gambling winnings under “Income from Other Sources.” If you don’t, and the tax office finds payments in your bank account, you could face penalties or notices.
Source: Cleartax
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Conclusion: Online Casinos Are Not Legal In India In 2026
The law has become harder after the Online Gaming Act of 2025 started. While real casinos in places like Goa and Sikkim are allowed under controlled conditions, online gambling is banned everywhere in the country.
Foreign sites might look tempting, but they’re not safe, not regulated, and offer no protection. If you enjoy gaming, stick to options like free-to-play games, social apps, or video game tournaments.
Stay informed, stay safe, and avoid sites that put your money and safety at risk.
FAQs
Usually, police target the websites and owners. Most players face problems like frozen accounts or blocked payments rather than jail time.
Only real, physical casinos are legal in Goa. Online casinos, even if you’re in Goa, are not legal under the national Online Gaming Act, 2025.
A VPN might hide your location from the website, but if authorities see gambling payments in your bank account, you can still face action.
Even if the site is not legal, any winnings are taxable at 30% under the Income Tax Act.
Only free games and e-sports tournaments without real money betting are legal. Paid contests and fantasy sports are limited and need licenses.
There is no “trusted” online casino in India because all are not legal. Any site claiming to be trusted is working outside the law.
No online casino is safe or legal for Indian players. Only licensed physical casinos in Goa and Sikkim are legal and regulated.
