Online casinos have exploded in popularity across the world over the last decade. This growth has not been ignored by consumers in India, who are increasingly looking at online casinos as a form of entertainment. However, one common question asked amongst those people is whether online casinos are legal in India?
Certainly, online casino patrons in the country have cause to be confused. India has only recently started warming to the idea of land-based casinos, which remain largely illegal. So, what makes online casinos different? Well, they are legal if the online casino is based outside of India.
This means Indian customers can enter and play at a legal online casino based in a regulated market, such as the United Kingdom.
India’s relationship with the online casino is complicated. The country prohibits any company from forming and hosting an online casino within Indian borders. However, there is no law preventing individuals from gambling at offshore casinos.
This balancing act is possible because of anti-gambling legislation in India that focuses on organizations and not consumers. Specifically, the Public Gambling Act of 1857 prevents any company from operating a public gambling business in India. Of course, this law was enacted long before online casinos existed, so it does not account for venues held in other countries.
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Indian consumers can easily access online casinos hosted in other nations. As for the chances of India ever allowing online casinos… it’s a long process. The country is certainly warming to the idea of allowing more legal frameworks for gaming. For example, the Lotteries Act of 1998 opened the door for Indian states to host lotteries, and in some cases, sports betting.
Playing Online Casinos in India
Being able to access offshore casinos means Indian consumers can play online casino games. Perhaps the best advice for Indians embracing the casino market is to find a reputable casino. While leading online casinos are not regulated in India, they will be regulated by other bodies, such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Casinos with full compliance with recognized regulatory bodies will provide more protection to Indian customers. For example, these licensed casinos must ensure fair play and the security of their patrons.
While casinos are not available natively in India, offshore providers are starting to take notice of the country. India is a massive growth market that online casinos want to expand into. As the number of consumers playing casino games is small, there is a lot of room for growth with millions of Indians likely to embrace online casinos like Royal Panda in the coming years.
Offshore providers recognize the potential of India and are starting to make it easier for Indian consumers to play at their venues. Whether this attention leads to the Indian government seeking to legalize online casinos remains to be seen. Certainly, there are massive economic possibilities if online casinos are one day allowed to operate natively within the country.
Only time will tell, but in the meantime, Indians can continue to access offshore casinos to play their favorite games.
