While the act didn’t legalise online gambling sites in India, it gave the government the power to block operators. To clarify the situation, the government introduced the Information Technology Act in 2000. Consecutively, people who want to enjoy gambling online in India are in a grey area. Thus, while we cannot claim that the act outlaws online casinos, it is also true that it does not legalise them either. Online Casino Gaming in IndiaĪs mentioned above, the Public Gambling Act 1867 doesn’t refer to online casinos, which is no surprise since the internet didn’t exist at the time. While the topic remains in legal limbo, Indian residents are allowed to play at licensed gambling sites in Sikkim. However, the government keeps the right to block foreign websites when needed. Considering neither the Public Gambling Act of 1867 nor the Information Technology Act of 2000 mentions it, online betting isn’t officially forbidden. Meanwhile, the situation with online gambling in India is uncertain. Every state can modify the local laws, which is why land-based casinos are available in Sikkim and Goa. The lottery was officially legalised in the country, thanks to the Lotteries Regulation Act of 1998. Nowadays, Indians can legally bet on horse racing and rummy. Despite the law declaring gambling illegal, it excludes games where skills are needed. It’s illegal to operate or enter a gaming house according to the Public Gambling Act 1867.
