Types of gambling in India

 

TYPES OF GAMBLING IN INDIA

Gambling in India is regulated by the government, and only certain states have the right to conduct this activity in accordance with licensing requirements. This allows states to monitor and regulate gambling activities, taking into account their social, cultural, and economic characteristics.

Licensed operators are able to provide gambling services according to the specific regulations of each state.
There are the different types of gambling available in India and the states where they are permitted.

In Sikkim, casinos are allowed to operate under strict regulations.

The Sikkim (Casino Control and Taxes) Act of 2002, also known as the SCA, establishes a licensing system for casino games in 5-star hotels in the state of Sikkim. In addition, Sikkim has officially approved the establishment of an online casino through the Sikkim Online Gaming Regulations Act of 2008, or SOGA.

According to SOGA, certain casino games such as roulette and blackjack can only be played through the intranet within the state of Sikkim. These licenses are typically valid for 5 years unless they are revoked or cancelled.

The regulatory body for issuing licenses for online games offered within the intranet of Sikkim is the Department of Finance, Revenue, and Expenditure of the Government of Sikkim.

Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Gaming Regulation Act of 2021 and the accompanying Meghalaya Regulation Gaming Act Rules allow operators to obtain licenses to provide online gambling services, including slots, roulette, keno, and wheel of fortune.

Only Indian citizens or legal entities registered in India are eligible to apply for a gambling license in Meghalaya. The license is valid for a period of 5 years, and licensees are required to pay a gambling royalty. The Meghalaya Gaming Regulatory Authority (MRGA) prohibits the operation of casinos and the offering of games without a license in the state.

The government of Meghalaya serves as the licensing authority, and decisions regarding offenses under the MRGA and MRGAR are made by the Commissioner of Taxes or other officials authorized by the state government. The Gambling Commission of Meghalaya oversees licensees to ensure compliance with license requirements and issues new regulations regarding offered games.

Goa, Daman, and Diu are also included in this licensing process.

The Goa, Daman and Diu (GDD) Public Gambling Act of 1976 regulates the activities of casinos and allows the offering of "games with electronic entertainment" in five-star hotels in Goa, Daman, and Diu, in accordance with a licensing regime. Board games and gambling can also be offered on ships.

Offshore casinos require a license to operate, which is issued under the GDDPG. In Goa, the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes serves as the Gambling Commissioner.

Dragon vs Tiger game

Dragon vs tiger, with the exception of certain states such as Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu, is not regulated in other states. In these states, dragon vs tiger is considered a skill-based game and is not subject to regulation. The 2015 law on the prohibition of gambling, promotion, and regulation of online skill games (Nagaland prohibition of gambling and promotion and regulation of online games of skill act, 2015) establishes that dragon vs tiger is a skill game that can be played online or in person.

The law also establishes the licensing authority for online skill games, which is appointed by the state's financial commissioner or another authorized authority. Bingo, on the other hand, can be played both online and in person, and it falls under the category of lottery or gambling, depending on the state laws. Gambling is generally prohibited in most states, while lotteries are regulated.

sports betting

Some types of betting are available: sports betting - in the states of Sikkim and Meghalaya, sports betting is permitted under a license via the intranet; horse racing - these have been judicially recognized as a game of skill, and many gambling laws exclude them from their list of prohibitions.

Additionally, since most gambling laws were enacted before the advent of the internet, they do not include a specific regulator or definition of "online betting on horse races", so a license is not required. However, the racing club may impose specific conditions.

The betting on physical horse races is regulated by the government of certain states (Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu). Additionally, conditions may be set by the club that organizes the races and operates under a license granted by the state government.

Fantasy sports betting

Fantasy sports betting is legal in some states, such as Nagaland and Meghalaya, which have introduced licensing regimes for virtual fantasy sports leagues through their laws (NPGPROGSA and MRGA). These laws recognize virtual team-choice games and virtual fantasy sports as games of skill, allowing for legitimate betting and winning.

However, fantasy sports are strictly prohibited for betting in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Lotteries are also not included in the scope of gambling laws, and are instead regulated by separate lottery laws at both the state and national levels. Private lotteries, except those permitted with a license from the state government, are prohibited under the Indian Penal Code.

Among those state governments that organize lotteries, physical lotteries are conducted by authorized departments or state treasury departments. In the states of Punjab, Kerala, and Maharashtra, only physical lotteries are permitted.

Social games:

Since these games do not involve cash prizes, gambling laws do not apply. There is no specific regulator.

Skill games:

Gambling laws have special exceptions for skill games. In most Indian states, except for Nagaland, which has a licensing regime for online skill games, there is no requirement for a license to host these games.