The Best Online Casinos in India | Review of Top 10 Gambling Sites in 2024

In this article, I wanted to compile all the best online casinos in India I’ve ever tried based on their services, security, games, and all the necessary information you would need. 

If you’re looking to have fun playing at safe Indian casinos online, want to earn a bit of cash on the side, and are curious about the state of gambling in India, read on!

Top 10 Best Online Casinos India to Gamble in April 2024

Below is my top 10 online casinos real money India has to offer. I, Gamble Sensei, choose what goes on my list based on security, customer service, ease of use, banking options, and other unique factors that make these online casinos some of the best.

Review of Indian Online Casinos

You may be wondering how I rate all these online casinos. It is not simple as you may think. I check every casino’s welcome bonuses, security, opinion of players, and of course my own. I write online casino reviews, so it would be more convenient for you to see which casino to trust.

Check them here in detail!

India’s Gambling History

18th-19th Century

Some forms of gambling were popular in India throughout the country’s formative years. Once it became a British colony, it also became subject to the gambling laws of the same country. The Public Gambling Act, which determines that forms of gambling in India are deemed illegal, came into effect in 1867. 

The exact phrasing of this law guarantees that not only playing in gambling houses but operating such is illegal. Even people found idling inside a gaming house are considered guilty, despite not partaking in gambling.

There aren’t any laws in India that primarily regulate its online gambling industry. There has been a lot of debate over whether the 1867 Act covers the online gambling scene. The law states that a gambling house is any house, “walled enclosure”, or room with dice, cards, tables, or other gambling instruments used for the owner’s profit.

Because the law is somewhat vaguely phrased, people argue that online gambling also counts, i.e., the law refers to a “place” holding gambling instruments. Due to that theory, most regions in India consider online gambling illegal.

20th-21st Century

Aside from that, another law, the 2000 Information Technology Act, may be impacting the legality of gambling in India. This law disallows anyone from publicising information on the internet that could corrupt people in the country.

Online casinos in India could be held responsible for “corrupting” individuals. In that case, gambling is pretty much frowned upon in the country. In simple words, operating an online gambling platform within most Indian states is illegal. However, the good news is that there haven’t been any cases of gamblers in India being charged for betting on an offshore casino website.

Sikkim, Goa and Damanare the only three Indian states that do not follow these laws. All other states don’t issue licences to casino operators, which means there are only a few legal online casinos in India.

The Legalisation of Gambling in India

As I mentioned earlier, the 1867 Public Gaming Act is an essential law that deems all games of luck illegal (lotteries or skill-based games not included). On March 4th, 2009, the Sikkim State Government published Sikkim Online Gaming Rules 2009. 

It sheds light on regulations linked to online gaming licencing in Sikkim. It states that Indian residents would not be held guilty of gambling online if they are found betting on legal casinos operating outside India’s national boundaries. 

Once again, there are no cases in which Indian gamblers have been charged for betting at an offshore platform. In some states, however, offshore platform operators still must allow transactions in the country’s local currency.

Tamil Nadu banned online gambling in 2021. Before the year ended, however, the Madras High Court deemed the 2021 Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws Act unconstitutional and struck it down. It is uncertain whether other states will see the same treatment. Nonetheless, the Madras High Court stated that Tamil Nadu could still lean on a constitutional prohibition. 

Karnataka is also seemingly turning a blind eye to the criticisms that online gaming prohibitions could adversely affect India’s blossoming game development industry.

Did You Know?

Is Online Gambling Legal in India?

It isn’t illegal for players in India to gamble at offshore casinos (like the ones on my list, for instance). To be clear, while gambling laws are constantly debated, no laws prevent Indian players from betting at online casinos not based in India. State laws within the country override national legislation, which is why states like Sikkim, Daman, and Goa have land-based casinos. On the other hand, gambling is strictly outlawed in states like Assam. However, Assam residents can still play on online gambling platforms.

There are also states like Karnataka and Telangana where even online gambling isn’t allowed. But it will surprise you that while gambling isn’t allowed in these states, MyBetting published a report in 2021 that Telangana still has the most people who gamble online (18.7%), followed by Karnataka (13.2%).

In conclusion, there is hope that India will eventually gravitate towards regulating online gambling.

How to Choose the Best Online Casino in India – in 5 Steps!

It can be tedious searching for a casino to your liking out of the endless number of online casinos. To make things easier, I’ve mentioned all the factors you need to remember when considering a casino. 

Decide What You Want

To successfully find what you’re looking for in a casino, you must know what you need in the first place. For instance, if you are looking for a real money casino to play at online, focus your search on that type of casino. Similarly, you must consider the games you enjoy since finding a slot-centric won’t do you well unless you like to play online slots. Hence, it’s essential to understand what you are looking for before doing your research.

Check for Licences

At the end of the day, where money is concerned, you must ensure that a reputable regulatory body properly licences the casino you want to sign up with. Therefore, consider looking elsewhere if the casino you are viewing does not have its licencing information and certification displayed on its landing page. 

Licencing and certifications act as an assurance that gamblers can trust the casino. They also confirm that the player’s information will be safe against misuse. Thus, when looking for a trustworthy online casino, ensure it is appropriately licenced and regulated by a well-known regulatory body. Reputable casinos also feature providers who have their games tested by third-party companies like eCogra.

Research the Payment Methods

Once you find a casino that matches your requirements, check out the banking methods it offers. When real money casinos are involved, you must ensure that you can easily make deposits and withdrawals with your preferred banking method. If possible, look for online casinos offering various options, especially payment methods relevant to your country, such as bank transfers, UPI, e-wallets, credit/debit cards, etc. That way, depositing, and withdrawing funds will be a breeze, positively affecting your gambling experience.

Customer Service

A reputable casino cares about what its customers say about its services. You should be able to contact the casino’s live support (a necessity at this point) while playing and get concrete solutions to your problems. The best online casinos in India also provide gambling tools to keep problem gambling at bay.

Casinos also allow users to email, call them through a toll-free number, or fill out a complaint form. It’s ideal if a casino has an around-the-clock live chat facility. That way, you can get help anytime you need it.

Top Casino Games and Software

After landing on a reputable casino site, ensure that the casino offers top-quality games from respectable developers. Since the online gambling industry is predominantly European, many of the best software developers are from that continent. Some of the most recognizable names in the gambling business are NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech.

The companies mentioned above are known to offer top-quality and ingenious casino games. As I stated earlier, all software developers have to get their games tested by third-party companies. It is a part of the licencing conditions established by EU regulators. Renowned software developers also design everything ranging from table games to slots.

Facts About Gambling in India

The Future of Online Gambling in India

According to experts, the 1867 Public Gaming Act will need revision soon enough to adjust to the changes in the Indian gambling industry.

This is especially true considering the current rise in the popularity of online casinos. If the Act is not revised, some pro-gambling states may enact legislation separately to regulate gambling; some have already done this for decades.

Ultimately, there hasn’t been a noticeable internal demand for amendments to the 1867 Act, and the revision may not materialise for the following years. This could be difficult for online casino operators wishing to enter the Indian gambling market, which is predicted to be worth billions.

Gambling Taxation in India

After you have made some winnings gambling at online casinos in India, your next concern will likely be related to taxes. So, will you be taxed on these winnings? Unfortunately, the answer to that is yes. 

When filling an income tax return in the country, “individual” taxpayers will incur taxes on winnings through gambling and similar activities. The tax applied to the revenue earned via gambling is 30%, with a surcharge of 10%. If that doesn’t happen, you must pay this amount when filing your income tax return.

The tax deduction from gambling winnings is covered in the Income Tax Act, Section 194B. If you earn winnings from gambling outside India, the relevant country will deduct tax on your winnings before sending them to you.

This contrasts with South Africa, where players are not subject to taxes on their gambling activities. The opposite applies to India and the UK. 

Should I Register Now?

All things considered, the future looks bright for the Indian gambling industry. Although the expected process is slow, there is an overall positive outlook for gambling in the country. 

Now that you know the essential aspects of casinos in India, it’s time to test your skills. Take out your phone and ensure you have a strong internet connection. Sign up at a casino and gamble to your heart’s content!

Remember that gambling is a game of fun, and you unfortunately can’t win all the time. Most importantly, find a casino platform you can trust. If you don’t want to do the research yourself, you surely can pick one of the trustworthy casinos of my Top 10.

FAQ

Not From India? Check Our Other Country Reviews!

Online gambling is a wide market that appeals to millions of people around the world. Each country has its laws and regulations on this particular subject. Due to certain country restrictions, it is sometimes difficult to understand the veracity of the Information you find online.

Passionate about online gambling for decades, I share with you all my experiences and knowledge. Aren’t you from India? Not a problem. Find the Top 10 online casinos to play in your country:

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