Every day, more people are becoming acquainted with online casinos. People who are confined to their homes, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, engage in gambling and online soccer betting.

People were, are, and would be mad about gambling and engaging themselves in chances that they can win, whether it’s playing cards or betting on rams, bulls, horse racing, or even cockfights. Casinos, like so many other things in existence, have gone digital.

One of the newer iterations of this centuries-old pastime in India is online casinos. However, when playing an online casino game, a person can be perplexed about whether they can win real money and whether it is legal in India.

Is it legal to play at an online casino in India?

The Indian online gambling market is currently in a grey area that is highly regulated. Lotteries, horse racing, skill sports, and other activities come under this umbrella, and the rules are largely unknown.

Though there is no doubt that online casinos in India have grown in popularity, providing a lot of entertainment and a live casino experience from the comfort of one’s own home, many authorities and legal experts claim that gambling encourages money laundering, fraud, and other socio-economic vices. Different legislation governing the execution of gaming have been enacted in several state jurisdictions.

Gambling Is Legal In India

In India, gambling laws have been enacted.

India, as a federal state, is governed by a variety of laws enacted by various states. In general, authorities consider the following laws and acts when it comes to Indian gambling sites:

The 1867 Public Gambling Act

Even in this day and age of technological advancements, this law sets a legal precedent. Games involving dice, cards, and other gaming instruments are illegal, as is visiting a venue (usually a walled enclosure) where such games are held. However, since this predates the internet and Indian online casinos, which have yet to be given a valid description, its applicability is complicated.

The 1955 Prize Competition Act

Any game with a monthly prize of Rs. 1,000 is forbidden. Given that this law was enacted in 1955 using the then-current currency, the equivalent of a thousand rupees would be much more today. Furthermore, the reward competition entails a game based on combinations or arrangements of letters, numbers, or other symbols. This may only apply to slot machines or other chance-based online casino games where you can win real money, but there is no specific description.

The year 2000 saw the passage of the Information Technology Act.

The IT Act focuses on the type of language used on online sites and users engaging in malicious behaviour. However, depending on the arguing group, any loose wording suggesting online casinos in India can be used for or against the matter.

What Do Experts Think About India’s Online Gambling Future?

Existing laws must be reformated to ensure that the data of Indian consumers and the income received by Indian players are kept within the country. It is only fair that people join the world of online gambling, particularly with secure platforms like Dream11 and Paytm First Games on the horizon.

Several state high courts, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and others, have ruled in favour of players who make money on Indian gambling sites. Even the Supreme Court has stated that skill games are permissible and legal.