In India, the legal status of casinos varies across different states and union territories. The primary legislation governing gambling activities is the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house. However, this law allows states to formulate their own rules regarding gambling.
Some states like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman have legalized casinos under specific regulations. In these regions, casinos operate as part of luxury hotels and tourist attractions. Goa permits both offshore and onshore casinos, while Sikkim allows casinos in five-star hotels. Daman has also legalized casino operations in recent years.
Most other Indian states consider gambling illegal, with some exceptions for lotteries and horse racing. Online gambling falls into a gray area, with some states explicitly banning it while others have no specific regulations. The Information Technology Act of 2000 doesn\“t directly address online gambling, leaving interpretation to individual states.
Indian players often access international online casino platforms, though the legal status remains ambiguous. Some states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have explicitly banned online gambling, while others haven\“t addressed it specifically. The Supreme Court of India has generally upheld states\“ rights to regulate gambling within their territories. |
