The laws in India that set the legality of different activities are often confusing. Much of the confusion around online gambling is due to the age of the laws. The laws of relevance are The Public Gambling Act of 1867, which applies to states without their own individual laws, and the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999, which stipulates how funds can be deposited online.
The good news is the real money games legality in India is based on a state-by-state basis. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 does not apply to states with their own gambling laws, and there are no references to online gambling in the law, even amendments. Although the law specifically lists games of skill versus games of chance, even that is difficult to determine in many card games enjoyed online.
State Laws
Any state that does not specifically prohibit online gambling or gambling in casinos supports real money games legality in India. Players in these states are free to wager online or, in a few states, actually go to the casino. All offshore casinos, which are the only legal online gaming entities in the country, must provide the option for players to deposit and withdraw from the casino in Indian rupees.
With the increase in the use of technology in all aspects of life, it is important to know within the state the real money games legality in India. In the two states where online gambling is banned, players face the risk of up to one year in prison or the possibility of a fine.
As it can be confusing, always check the local state laws before playing any real money games online. This information should be available online, making it easy to verify before placing a wager.
