Other August 5, 2025 1281 views

DARK SIDE OF ONLINE GAMBLING IN INDIA

3 mins read
Anish Palkar

Reading: Article introduction

Summary

This blog explores the legal landscape and risks of online gambling in India. It explains the lack of uniform regulations, the difference between games of skill and chance, state-specific laws, and the serious consequences such as addiction, financial loss, and mental health issues.

The number of people engaged in real money betting and gambling activities in India and it is increased in such a manner. It is rigorously regulated in India like lotteries and steed racing.

The Gambling Act`1845 and The Betting Act 1853 have several laws which is existed in British India which governs gambling rules. After Independence 

Many states adopted the Gambling Act as a fundamental norms and others make their own online Gaming and Gambling Laws in India.

 

The growth of gaming and gambling industry surge in two levels every year,

Creating a massive demand for uniform of gaming and gambling laws and regulation. Gambling is act of playing game or taking risk action for money.

 

Online Betting Is It Legal?

 

Online betting has varied legal position total in India, previous to the Central Public Gambling Act 1867, all states had their own legislation and regulation when came to gambling. The Act declared all type of gambling illegal in India but also demark between games of change and games of skill. Cricket does not fall in gambling or betting but lotteries and horse race betting are still legal. This clearly show the lack of substantial guidelines to difference between game of skill and game of change.

 

Public Gambling Act does not include online gambling term. Few states has adopted act as their gambling legislations, While lot of the states have still their own regulation and Sikkim and Nagaland first states to include laws relating to online gambling making their own legislation. Additionally West Bengal, Sikkim, and Nagaland allow to poker to be played in online and offline after receiving licence from state authority along with Goa, which is authorized casinos to carry our gambling.

 

Key points

  • Online gambling refers to betting money on games, sports, or other activities through computers, mobile, and tablets.
  • The risk of online gambling include addiction, financial losses, fraud and scams, and lack of regulation.
  • Problem of gambling can lead to depression and anxiety as well as isolate individual.
  • Youth exposed to online gambling may develop addictive behaviors and poor financial habits as well as facing legal concequences.

 

Legal Provision of Online Gambling

As already there is a lack of clarity and standardization in the laws across the country when it comes to online gambling.

In India, online gambling or gaming is not prohibited. Online gaming with real money is allowed in most of the states of India. Therefore, unless specifically prohibition by the state government, it is not prohibited.

Online games with real money cannot be played in whole of India as the laws states of Assam, Odisha and southern state of Telangana specifically prohibited online gaming with stakes in India.

In India, the states have right to regulate specific laws related to gambling activities in their territory. In general gambling in India is regulated by the Public Gambling Act 1867, Which is central law prohibits certain type of gambling. Online gambling or gaming is not well defined.

Some states in India have enacted their own gambling laws, which may prohibits or regulate online gambling activities within their jurisdiction. For example, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya  Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, Goa , Sikkim.

 

Conclusion

The dark side of online gambling in India significant risk like addiction, financial problem, and social isolation. Problematic gambling can lead to mental health issue and such as anxiety and depression as well as legal problem. In India few states have significant laws. And online gaming not totally prohibited in India.

Share This Article