A Comprehensive Overview of Gambling and Casino Policies in Indian States and Union Territories

India, with its diverse states and unique legislative frameworks, exhibits a complex and varied approach to gambling and casino policies. Below is a complete analysis of the gambling laws across all 28 states and 8 union territories, categorized into states that allow gambling, those with partial restrictions, and those with a complete ban.

States Allowing Casinos and Gambling

Goa: Goa is one of the few states where casinos are legal. The state amended its Public Gambling Act of 1976 to allow licensed casinos to operate. Goa has both land-based and floating casinos, making it a major gambling hub in India.

Sikkim: Sikkim legalized casinos under the Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Tax) Act of 2002. It is also one of the few states to experiment with online gambling licenses, though these are currently limited.

Nagaland: While traditional casinos are not permitted, Nagaland legalized “games of skill” under the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act, 2016. This includes online games such as poker and rummy.

Daman and Diu (Union Territory): Daman has legalized casinos, and a few large projects are in development, but full-scale operations remain limited compared to Goa.

States with Partial Restrictions or Special Provisions

Telangana: Telangana introduced a blanket ban on gambling in 2017, including online gambling, under the Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act. However, certain activities categorized as “skill-based” games may fall into legal gray areas.

Maharashtra: Maharashtra enforces strict gambling laws under the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887. While traditional gambling is banned, the legal status of online gambling remains ambiguous.

Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu attempted to ban online games like rummy and poker in 2021, but the ban was struck down by the courts. Gambling activities remain largely restricted.

Assam and Odisha: Both states explicitly prohibit all forms of gambling, including games of skill. Their stringent laws make them outliers even among states with restrictions.

States Completely Banning Gambling and Casinos

The following states adhere to the Public Gambling Act of 1867 or have their own strict laws banning gambling and casinos:

Andhra Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

Bihar

Chhattisgarh

Gujarat

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

Jharkhand

Karnataka

Kerala

Madhya Pradesh

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

Punjab

Rajasthan

Tripura

Uttar Pradesh

Uttarakhand

West Bengal

In these states, gambling in any form is generally considered illegal unless explicitly allowed under central or state-level exceptions.

Union Territories

Delhi: Gambling and casinos are banned in Delhi under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Skill-based online games operate in a legal gray area.

Chandigarh: Follows similar restrictions as Punjab, prohibiting gambling activities.

Lakshadweep: Gambling is prohibited.

Puducherry: Gambling is illegal, though enforcement is less stringent compared to other regions.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Strictly prohibits gambling and casino activities.

Jammu and Kashmir: Adheres to stringent anti-gambling laws under the Jammu and Kashmir Gambling Act, 1977.

Ladakh: Similar to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh follows strict prohibitions.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: While Daman permits casinos, other parts of this union territory follow restrictions similar to Gujarat.

Conclusion

India’s gambling policies are a patchwork of state-specific regulations influenced by cultural, economic, and political factors. While Goa, Sikkim, and Daman stand out as pioneers in legalizing casinos, most states remain steadfast in their prohibition of gambling. With the rapid growth of online gaming and changing public attitudes, the legal landscape is slowly evolving, but significant barriers remain in most regions. Stakeholders in the gambling and gaming industry must navigate these complexities carefully to ensure compliance with regional laws.