What is the gambling law in India?

The principal legislation governing gambling in India is the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a law from the British colonial era that prohibits the operation of public gambling houses. However, under the Constitution of India, individual states have the power to legislate on 'betting and gambling.' This has resulted in a fragmented legal landscape where each state can have its own set of regulations.

Many states have adopted the Public Gambling Act, while others, like Goa and Sikkim, have enacted their own laws to regulate and license casinos. A crucial distinction in Indian gambling law is between 'games of skill' and 'games of chance,' with the former generally being exempt from gambling prohibitions.

The legal status of many games is often determined by court judgments on a case-by-case basis. The upcoming Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, is set to overhaul this framework by introducing a central law that will ban all online games involving real money.