Online casinos are considered a grey area in Indian law, meaning that no official authority is in place to approve or block operators. Instead of randomly selecting the online casino with the largest INR bonus, you should consult the following guide.
Our experts provide a straightforward analysis of India’s gambling landscape and list casino sites catering to this market.
Online Casino Shortlist – the best gambling sites in India
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Excellent bonuses for new players, INR-payment methods like Paytm and UPI, and a live casino with Hindu dealers are a few of the standout features found in the listed online casinos. Pokies.bet has experts in various countries, including India, who rigorously test casinos searching for the best. The main criteria we benchmark casinos against include:
- Gaming selection
- License and safety
- Bonuses and promotions
- Customer support
- Original features
- User experience across devices
- Reputation
We run year-long hands-on tests and read independent reviews of 50+ online casinos before finalising our shortlist. The top gambling sites for India let you register in less than a minute and provide access to thousands of games for 100 INR or smaller deposits. The list is curated monthly to include new operators worthy of your attention and an up-to-date sneak peek of their bonuses.
Online Gambling in India – rules and regulations
Online casinos and sports betting websites operating offshore can accept Indian players as long as they support gameplay with Indian Rupees.
India’s federal laws don’t prohibit online gambling, leaving the matter to individual states. As you can probably imagine, the situation varies from state to state. For the most part, online gambling falls in a grey area permitting operators and players to do as they please.
Below I outline India’s most notable gambling rules and regulations you should know about before playing online casino games.
- The Public Gaming Act of 1867 is the oldest piece of legislation affecting the gambling market. It explicitly prohibits entering or running public casinos.
- The Indian Constitution Established in 1949 passed legislative rights of online gambling to the individual states. Although state-by-state gambling regulations in India vary, these are some notable ones: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra forbid all types of gambling, including online. Fines and jail time will be enforced on anyone breaking the law in these states. On the other hand, Goa, Daman, and Sikkim passed a law in 1976 dictating that 5-star hotels and floating casinos can apply for a license to facilitate gambling activities.
- Online casinos operating in India must be based offshore, or they will be prosecuted. Another crucial requirement set by the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 is to support gaming in Indian Rupees.
- The Informational Technology Act 2000 provides the broadcasting authorities the right to block operators from appearing on ISPs.
- The Online Gaming Bill 2022 is still in the works and aims to regulate the industry as a whole.
- The 2023 changes to the Informational Technology Rules published by the Ministry of Electronics and IT in India indicate that self-regulatory bodies will be established to regulate the market. This is in contrast to what other countries perform – establishing a main body responsible for overseeing operators and holistically protecting players.
- At the same time, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Authority published an advisory paper to block all advertising linked to online gambling in India.
- The latest gambling changes were announced in July 2023, and enforced in October of the same year, when India’s Goods and Services Tax Council announced a 28% tax on all gambling products. The announcement saw several digital gaming brands leaving the market, including Super Group’s Betway.
The Indian market is dynamic, and changes occur regularly. For now, 18+ years old players can gamble online in most states without any dangers or repercussions. It is impossible to cover the regulations of 25 states here, so check your local laws before gambling online to be on the safe side.
And remember, offshore casinos are tricky to assess without an in-depth understanding of the market, which is why you should rely on our recommendations. At least until your state nominates an official gambling authority you can turn to for legit information.
Things to Know About Indian Online Casinos
Online casinos bring unique benefits to Indian players, who had to cross state lines to place a cheeky wager before their emergence.
Now, registration takes less than a minute. You can tap on our page links, and then on the registration area at the official website. Enter your email, create a username and password, and you are all set. The casino will request your full name, address, and a few additional details to ensure you are eligible to play. Indians over 18 years old are accepted.
Deposits are processed in Indian Rupees; you won’t be charged when transferring money to the casino. All deposits are instant indifferent to the method you select. Some of the common options at India’s best casinos include Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Crypto, Paytm, and PhonePe. Deposit ₹100 or more and you will qualify for 100 – 200% match bonuses and free spins to get a leg up the casino.
Operators we have shortlisted on this page host thousands of games. After loading some funds into your account, visit the gaming lobby and take a look. Online casinos ensure navigation is a cinch by establishing distinct gaming groups consisting of slots, virtual casino games, live dealer games, jackpots, etc. A range of options from each category ensures everyone is catered to. Indian players can select games they know and love like Teen Patti and Andar Bahar or go with the standard gambling games. Live casino studios go as far as hiring local croupiers to ensure an immersive experience.
The only time you might have to wait a day or two is when verifying your account and requesting your first withdrawal. Online casinos request documents to verify your name, address, and banking method ownership. When these are received, withdrawals are processed within 24 hours and reach you quickly thereafter.
The above summarises the essence and holistic experience online casinos bring to Indian players. No wonder most punters haven’t looked back after trying online slots and digital table games.
Quick Facts for Indian Gamblers
| Are online casinos legal in India? | Not exactly. India is a grey market where international gambling sites operate without issues |
| Licensing body | UKGC, MGA, CCCB |
| Currency | ₹ / INR / Indian Rupees |
| Languages | Hindi, Kashmiri, Meitei, Bengali, English, and more |
| Popular gaming options | Slots, Game Shows, Live Casino, Andar Bahar, Teen Patti, Table Games with Indian croupiers, Provably Fair Games, Cricket, and more |
| Payment methods | Paytm, UPI, Instamojo, PhonePe, Bank Transfers, Bank Cards, Crypto, Skrill, Neteller, Jeton, and more |
| Gaming vendors | Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Microgaming, Yggdrasil, 3 Oaks, Playson, Play’n GO, and more |
| Best brands | Parimatch, Stake, Rajabaets, Leon, Casino Days, Dafabet, Megapari, Melbet, Bons, and B.C. Game |
| Top bonus | Parimatch: 150% match bonus (₹350 – ₹105,000) |
Indian Online Casinos We Recommend
The lack of an official gambling body and straightforward legislation means any international online casino will target Indian players. As a gamer, you must be extremely careful when making a selection, weighing the features you enjoy and your safety in equal measure. You don’t need to compromise one for the other, yet impressive bonuses and flashy designs can often lure you into a risky digital environment.
Our team has years of experience in the iGaming industry, and we have been playing and dealing with Indian online casinos for nearly a decade. Below I cover the main criteria we use to assess online casinos in India, utilise them to stay safe while gambling online.
Good range of local payment systems
This department is easy to assess as a player. Consider what banking methods you typically use to purchase things online and then visit the casinos’ cashier section to review the supported options. If they match your preferences, you can tick this box.
From our side, we only approve casinos that deal in Indian Rupees and support a range of secure payment options. Some of the most popular methods among Indian gamblers are Paytm, UPI, PhonePe, Skrill, and online banking. Crypto is widely available too, and Indians who prefer keeping their transactions private should actively search for casinos supporting it.
100% safe & legal
Countries like India that don’t regulate online casinos nor explicitly ban them leave room for thousands of online casinos to run freely. International gambling licenses issued by Curacao and the MGA limit online casinos from operating in markets where gambling is illegal or strictly regulated. On the other hand, they can operate in as many grey markets as they like.
As reviewers, we prefer UKGC and MGA online casinos due to the stricter criteria employed during the vetting process. Curacao eGaming licenses are easier to acquire and add little legitimacy. However, online casinos are more than their license – we see which company owns the casino and how long it has been operating. If they have amassed positive reviews and our experience with them has been positive, we approve them even if their license comes from a less reputable authority. Unlicensed casino sites never make it to our charts.
Hefty bonuses with fair T&Cs
There is no shortage of impressive bonuses, some claim to match your real money deposit up to one lakh or higher. Don’t fall for claims made by casinos, read the fine print and look beyond the numbers.
When reviewing online casinos we investigate their bonus departments and analyse the wagering requirements, bonus, deposit required, win caps, expiry times, restricted games, and more aspects for each offer. Unless everything is openly laid out and the deals are as good as they seem on paper, they won’t make it on our approved list.
Excellent customer service, around-the-clock support
Indian online casinos worth their salt provide three communication channels as the bare minimum. These must provide localised support, and agents must display excellent manners and have in-depth knowledge of the services they offer.
Live chat with real agents, not chatbots, and same-day email support are the two boxes any casino site must tick to get our stamp of approval. Help centres, FAQ pages, phone support, and socials are other contact methods we often encounter and positively consider during our rating process.
Numerous, quality gaming options
I kept the fun part for the end. Despite common misconceptions, online casinos in India don’t create their own games. They partner with independent studios and pay them a fixed fee or percentage of the profits to rent their games. Slots, table games, live casino games, and more.
Knowing this, we spent considerable time during our review process exploring the partnerships the online casino has established. Some include 10,000 games or more by 50+ vendors. Names I actively search for include NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Microgaming, Relax Gaming, and Playson.
The above studios guarantee quality and quantity across all gaming categories. Also, they hold licenses in multiple jurisdictions and their games are publicly tested at random times by independent bodies. When we see eCogra- and BMM Labs-tested providers at a casino we can guarantee that your gaming experience will be as much fun as fair!
Best Online Casino Bonuses for New Indian Players
AU$3,000
200 Free Spins
* 🎉 Grand opening!
AU$5,000
300 Free Spins
AU$5,000
300 Free Spins
* 🎉 Grand opening!
⚡️4000 AUD
🎰 +400 Free Spins
TOP3 Best casino offer in AU
AU$3000
300 Free Spins
⚡️750 AUD
🎰 +200 Free Spins
New casino offer in AU
$25 FREE CHIP
Code: 25JOURNEY
WGR: 60x / Max. cash-out: $180
AU$4,500
+150 Free Spins
* 🎡 Crypto Wheel!
A$1000
+ 100FREE Spins * for Aztec Magic Deluxe (BGaming) or The Hive by BSG
💰 4000 AUD
+ 🆓 150 Free Spins
🇭🇲TOP3 Best casino offer in AU
Among the many criteria employed when assessing online casinos for Indian players, readers primarily pay attention to bonuses. This makes sense since the majority of good gambling sites share similar features and games. Small discrepancies are noticed in the app and banking method availability, yet casino bonuses can be worlds apart.
The most common bonuses found at online casinos in India are deposit match boosts, free chips, free spins, cashback, tournaments, and VIP rewards. Top operators pack everything in their promotional lobby, whether you engage with their content is optional.
What I always advise players to do is to look at the promos’ T&Cs. If the wagering requirements and game restrictions aren’t a dealbreaker, bonuses are worth claiming. They typically double your investment or unlock freebies by simply playing games you would anyway.
By practising efficient bankroll management, selecting games with good odds, and utilising the full extent of casino promos – gamblers can narrow the house edge and emerge winners. Luck is an essential part of the equation, though taking advantage of all resources available is a step towards the right direction.
Our affiliated players and testers highlight the welcome offers of each online casino we have approved in the banners above. Read our reviews or the fine print at the casino site for the specifics.
Casino Hotels and Riverboat Casinos in India
Goa, Daman, and Sikkim are the few states where racecourses, and land-based and floating casinos are legal in India. The majority of venues have been established in Goa, primarily targeting tourists. The other two states have a handful of casinos between them.
Locals generally prefer gambling online due to the sheer number of gaming options, higher RTPs, unique bonuses, and convenient experience through mobile devices or desktops.
Read Our Reviews & Compare Casinos in India
Still with us? Hopefully, this guide has provided all the info you need to guide your gambling activities indifferent of where you reside in India. I tried to cover the main laws affecting the gambling landscape without overloading the page with legal jargon, in a nutshell:
- Several online casinos offer gambling services to Indians. Selecting good operators can be a challenge, which is why you should utilise our rating criteria and consult our casino recommendations.
- Although gambling online is not exactly legal, you will not face any legal repercussions for playing online casino games.
- India seems eager to regulate online gambling but has failed to take a holistic approach.
Our team has written numerous online casino guides over the years. Anyone with an interest in how online casinos work in other countries can check out the following guides.
