Are Online Casinos Legal in India?
Did you enter an online casino site and noticed that they are currently accepting Indian players?
Unsure if you should sign up? Let’s walk you through the legality of online casinos in India.
Gambling has existed in India for centuries, played as a sport by kings of different provinces. Indian mythology talks about gambling from over 10,000 years ago–from dice to chess, Indians have loved to gamble in some way or the other for centuries.
After cockfights and ram fights, for instance, people got crazed to horse racing and card games. Add to that a new form gambling today – the online casino.
You usually expect casinos to be part of hotel chains, resorts, cruise ships, and other places that attract tourists. Not anymore.
If you are in India, you don’t have to head to Goa or Sikkim, states that allow physical land-based casinos to operate. Instead, you can log onto online casino sites to get started, and all it takes is a few minutes reports Onlinecasino-india.com
Can You Bet on Online Casinos from India?
Most online casinos operate out of India, and as such Indian law does not offer any restrictions. There are no laws that state it’s illegal to indulge playing in an online casino – and as such, you are completely safe.
Add to it that there are no legal provisions in the Indian Penal Code or any other Act to penalize online gamblers –further testimony to the fact that courts do not view online casinos unfavourably.
There has been no known case of someone being fined or jailed for online gambling in India.
Many major players like Betway and Bet365 allow Indians to take part in their online casinos, and that’s because there are no gambling laws that prohibit the same.
Word of caution, though. If you are looking to gamble online, pick reputable and reliable sites to place your bets. You need to play on licensed casinos, where you need to submit all personal information, including KYC details. Playing in unlicensed casinos may be illegal.
Other things to keep in mind
Look to bet on sites that accept INR deposits and allow you to bet with the same currency. This will save you conversion fees and can ensure you get a better experience.
Look for welcome bonuses and first-time deposit offers. Some online casino sites have better offers than others. Check if you get any free spins while signing up, and the validity for it.
You may also want to look at the deposit options. Some offer e-wallets that allow you to bet with your favourite payment provider like Paytm.
Online Casinos – The Future Revenue Industry
With over 1.3 billion citizens, India has the potential to turn casino gambling into a huge, legally acceptable market. Many Indians culturally enjoy betting, be it cricket, horse-racing, poker, black-jack, or slot machines.
Even when it comes to land-based casinos, Goa, Sikkim, and Daman have seen significantly more revenue with the legalization of casino gambling.
Estimates suggest that Goa casinos can generate over $1 billion in gambling revenue. However, you don’t need to head there to get started playing your favourite casino games. You can do it right from your home!
