What’s the Legal Status of Online Casinos in India?

Is it legal to gamble in India? Is it a crime or not? What is the exact status? Read our article to find out!

The past few years have seen many countries pass laws to legalize online gambling within their jurisdictions. Among the countries that have made headlines within the gambling community for passing these laws include, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Sweden, and Spain, among others. But in India, the question of whether online gambling is legal or not attracts a lot of debate among many players. This article discusses the legal status of online casinos in India and what to expect from the players.

The Legal Landscape of Indian Online Gaming

Indian law categorizes the gaming sector into gambling and online skill-based games. Many states in the country assign licensing to web-based games as per the 1867 Public Gaming Act (PGA) “Games of Skill.” Gambling is further categorized into;
• Games of Skill and Chance– include casino games that require the use of skills and some chance to win. The law is more lenient on these games than in games of skill
• Games of Skill– many states’ legislation is lax on these, and consider them legal
• Games of Pure Chance– heavily restricted games and prohibited in most states
Although gambling is illegal in most parts of India, each state has its regulation on casino games and skill games. This leaves a few casinos and state-owned lotteries running in some states while, in others, the law is downright clear about gambling. All the same, no absolute laws govern the Indian online gaming sector, meaning that you’re not breaking any law when playing on offshore online casinos. The court refused to block online gaming sites during the World Cricket games.

The Future of Online Casinos

With a population of over 1.3billion people, an increased income per capita, and internet coverage, India creates a suitable market for online casino operators. Besides, the country has a gambling culture despite legal restrictions. These factors have led to international online casino operators from countries such as the UK, Malta, and Curacao investing in the Indian market. Besides, betting fanatics have the opportunity to play on leading online casinos such as ComeOn.

Factors Influencing the Growth of Online Casinos

According to a report by KPMG, the Indian online gaming industry will be worth $1 billion by 2021. This is a tremendous growth considering online casinos are not regulated in the country. Regardless, several factors will contribute to this growth, and they include;

Increased Number of Young Players

Over 65% of the Indian population is below 35 years, and over 50% are below 25 years. This young generation uses gaming as a way to relieve stress and for social interaction. Besides, they have no problem accessing online casinos and placing bets on cricket, horse racing, and English Champions League football teams.

Growth in Technology and Better Internet Coverage

The smartphone revolution in India has impacted several industries in the country, among them the gaming industry. Additionally, internet coverage is slowly growing, making it easy for more people to access online gaming sites using their mobile phones. Not only that, big investors such as Alibaba, Nazara, and Tencent have ventured into the Indian market, further boosting the gaming industry.

Increased Per Capita Income

As more investors join the India market, the country’s per capita income continues to grow. With the availability of disposable income, more people can afford to live luxurious as well as paying for online games. Besides, a lot of wealth means that people have more free time, which they can use to pass the time playing on online casinos.

Better Payment Methods

While playing online, you need assurance that you’ll receive all your earnings and be able to place your wager without stress. Indian online casinos offer safe and reliable payment options such as Skrill, Neteller, and cryptocurrency. The first two methods deduct some fees from your earnings while cryptocurrency is free of charge. Besides, the latter provides anonymity and is tax-free.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article