In India, the legality of online poker is a complex issue that varies by state. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house, but this law was enacted before the internet existed.
Several states like Nagaland, Sikkim, and Telangana have specific regulations for online gaming. Nagaland was the first state to introduce a licensing regime for online skill games including poker.
The Supreme Court of India has distinguished between games of skill and games of chance, generally considering poker as a game of skill when played properly. This classification is crucial because games of skill are typically exempt from gambling prohibitions.
Many Indian online poker platforms operate legally by obtaining licenses from jurisdictions that regulate online gaming. Players should always verify the legal status in their specific state before participating in online poker games. |
