Are you interested in gambling in India? You’re not alone. As India’s access to technology grows, the desire for online gambling platforms skyrockets. According to Wikipedia, India has become the most sought-after online gambling destination in the world.
However, gambling hasn’t always been legal in India, and it still isn’t in many states. The last thing you want is to get in legal trouble for gambling, so it’s important to understand the laws and regulations.
From gambling’s ancient origins in India to the current state of online and casino gaming, here is your full guide to gambling in India.
Origins of Gambling in India
Nearly all societies have a form of gambling, so it’s no surprise that India, despite its deep religious history, has embraced it.
There are many historical examples of games of chance in Ancient India. Nearly 10,000 years ago, people bet on variations of dice games; archaeologists have discovered nuts that are believed to have been used in these games.
When cricket arrived in India, it was an immediate sensation, and gambling on matches became popular. That all changed in 1867, when the government enacted an anti-gambling act.
Today you can find many forign and well known betting sites that operate in India.
Where Is Casino Gambling Legal in India?
While the national government in India has certain regulations on gambling, India’s 29 states and 7 territories have some freedom to decide how much or little gambling is allowed within their boundaries. Many states have a lottery or allow horse racing, but currently only three states allow casinos: Goa, Sikkim, and Daman.
Goa is currently the Indian state most associated with gambling and casinos; it has many beautiful gaming houses (on land, and on the water). Goa’s casinos rank among some of the best in the world, which has inspired other Indian states to pursue legalized gambling.
Where Is Online Gambling Allowed in India?
If you want to gamble online in India, you’re in luck. You are allowed to gamble online anywhere in India, as long as the gaming website is not based in India, for example, using a site like comeon.
A majority of online gambling sites do not use Rupees, however. This presents a challenge to some people in India. The best solution for most people interested in online gambling is to create an e-wallet for digital bets.
E-wallets have made gambling on offshore sites very simple, to the point where many new casino sites are targeting the Indian market directly.
The Future of Gambling in India
You might be wondering where gambling in India is going. The path is not completely clear; issues with foreign payment processors, bank transfers, and bookies must be solved for online gambling in India to be a viable option.
Then, there’s the matter of gambling’s legality. Online gambling via offshore sites is popular, but there will always be a demand for in-person games of chance and skill.
Casino gambling is still illegal in most Indian states, but that may change. Many states believe that legalizing gambling would improve their tourism numbers and cut down on crime.
It is hard to argue with the numbers; gambling in India is believed to be a more-than $60 billion (USD) industry. Goa’s success with gambling has inspired states with lower revenues to join in on the action.
Some argue that legalizing gambling will also cut down on underground drug and terrorist money. Powerful criminals and underground bookies rely on illegal gambling to make substantial portions of their “income.”
It’s estimated that around half of the betting in India is done illegally. This represents a mammoth amount of money placed directly in the hands of people who operate outside of the law.
