Choosing the Best Indian Online Casinos
Gambling popularity is soaring in India and while the legality of it in the country is somewhat of a grey area depending on which state you are in, Indian casino players will need to ensure they are within the limits of the law before signing up to online casinos.
The Indian gambling market is said to be worth over $60 billion a year, with half of that figure rumoured to come from illegal gambling. On this page, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the market, which online casinos accept players residing in India, as well as the most popular casino games which resonate with Indian players.
Is It Legal To Gamble Online in India?
Gambling online in India is somewhat of a grey area. Many states around the India prohibit online gambling as part of older anti-gambling laws but in some states, particularly Sikkim and Goa, the laws tend to be more relaxed and even though online gambling is in its infancy, many online casinos are fully operational. The move towards online casinos being fully regulated is in the pipeline across most states, however, there still isn’t a definite time frame when the market will be fully regulated.
Internet service providers are the ones responsible for blocking gaming activity within India itself, although residents are still able to access betting and online casino sites and are free to make use of their services. Gambling in India is a grey area as there isn’t a specific law which prohibits Indians from accessing gambling sites, which is why many online casinos are accepting players from India and also Rupee as an accepted currency for deposit.
If you’re an Indian player looking to make a deposit but the online casino doesn’t accept Rupees, feat not, as there are alternatives that you could be using, such as Neteller, Skrill and other e-wallets.
Best Indian Online Casinos
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Casino
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Rating
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Bonus
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Free Play
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9.7/10.0
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Deposit Bonus + FS
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Yes
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9.6/10.0
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Deposit Bonus + FS
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Yes
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9.4/10.0
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Deposit Bonus
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Yes
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8.5/10.0
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Deposit Bonus + FS
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Yes
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Sikkim, Daman, and Goa Leading A Fully Regulated Market
The Indian government is pushing for a fully regulated market but is first testing the gambling laws and their effects on two states; Sikkim and Goa. Both these states have a number of land-based casinos set up and running with more relaxed laws surrounding online gambling. Others, such as Daman, have established riverboat casinos as these are legally speaking off-shore and thus able to operate.
The states’ popularity as a tourist destination has been increasing since the law has come into effect and it will only be a matter of time before we see a significant increase in gambling revenues from these two states alone. The state of Sikkim drafted and released its first license to an online gambling operator and has been allowed to operate in full legality offering real money gambling to all people residing in the state.
Where to Gamble Online in India
Is it your responsibility as a player, to read over the terms and conditions thoroughly when thinking about joining an online casino, and to ensure it accepts players from where you are residing.
All online casinos have a ‘Restricted Territories’ list, which clearly indicates whether players from a certain country are accepted by the online casino. The ones which don’t have India on the list means that it accepts Indian players, as it would mean they are not specifically licensed against accepting them. However, particular attention should be given to the depositing and withdrawal methods accepted, as mentioned previously, there are other alternatives if Indian Rupee is not an accepted currency. If rupees are not accepted, Indian players should be able to play using another currency if it is available to them.
There are many online casinos that accept Indian Rupee as a depositing and withdrawal method and these can be made through credit cards, bank transfer, e-wallets and money transfer services. Below are some of the online casinos that accept Indian Rupee:
22Bet Casino India
Known for its vast number of casino games and its superior sports betting platform, 22Bet accepts players from India and players can feel confident that deposits with Indian Rupees can be made in a number of ways.
Bet365 Casino India
Bet365 needs absolutely no introduction to the world of gaming, being one of the most recognisable and prominent brands in the industry. It clearly states in the terms and conditions that Indian Rupees are accepted so players can rest assured that they could access all their favourite casino games in a couple of clicks.
Playamo Casino India
Playamo casino is one of many online casinos accepting players from India, however, certain games are prohibited not accessible, particularly, jackpot slots. The terms and conditions also state that, in particular, VISA payments made from India are not accepted.
Lucky Nugget Casino India
The terms and conditions of Lucky Nugget Casino don’t list India as a prohibited country, therefore, players are allowed to register and play all their games. Unfortunately, Indian Rupees are not mentioned in their accepted currencies and deposits will need to be made via other sources.
JackpotCity Casino India
JackpotCity casino too doesn’t list India as a restricted territory, so players should be confident in choosing JackpotCity casino as their go-to site to gamble online. Registration is easy, fast and seamless, however, Indian Rupee is not listed anywhere as an accepted currency, so once again, Indian players will need to find alternative ways to deposit funds to their account.
What Makes an Indian Online Casino Better?
Online casinos that accept Indian players offer:
The classics are called classics for the sole reason that they’re favoured and loved by online casino players around the world, with India being no exception. Some of the most popular games at online casinos that accept Indian players include; roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker.
Online slots are also growing their popularity rapidly amongst Indian players, although the nation has its favourites and even though they’re very hard to come by at online casinos, you’ll still find a few who host the following games: Paplu, Flish, Andar Bahar and Passa.
Live Casino in India
Indian players don't have to miss out on a great casino experience just because they're playing online! With real dealers hosting games on many of the top casino sites, such as live blackjack or online roulette, players, have a wealth of options when it comes to having a great time. Live games offer something a little extra when it comes to gameplay experience, allowing players to communicate with the dealers while playing for real money.
Play Casino Games on Mobile in India
Mobile technology has come a long way and as more people adopt a mobile-first lifestyle, the more opportunities will be created for casino players to enjoy a superior online casino experience. The future is here and most online casinos have hundreds of games in their repository that don’t compromise on quality when played on a mobile device or tablet.
Some online casinos have dedicated casino apps which makes it far easier for Indian players to access all their favourite casino games. Having a casino app is not only faster than a mobile responsive site, but it also gives players the flexibility to access casino games in fewer taps on their phone or tablet.
Some online casinos take it a step further and create tailor-made bonuses and promotions for players who sign up through a mobile device. These come in the way of bigger deposit bonuses, free spins and no deposit free spins.
Depositing Methods If Indian Rupees Are Not Accepted
Indian players are not the only ones who face problems when they need to deposit funds to their account. Most online casinos accept a handful of currencies and players will need to look for alternative methods to fund their account. Fortunately, we live in an age where there is an abundance of options to bypass these restrictions. The following are payment methods that can be used as an alternative if Indian Rupees are not an accepted currency by online casinos:
Neteller
If you’re familiar with Moneybookers, then you’ll quickly understand what Neteller is all about. Neteller is one of the most widely accepted methods of payments by online casinos throughout the industry and players can fund their account using credit & debit cards, bank transfers and instant electronic funds transfer and the best part is that they support local payment methods in your country.
Skrill
Skrill is a type of e-wallet which allows players to deposit funds instantaneously to their account in their local currency which in turn creates the opportunity for players to use Skrill to fund their casino account. E-wallets like Skrill are very safe and secure, so players can feel reassured that their sensitive financial information is encrypted and stored in the proper way. Skrill is widely accepted by online casinos and Indian players should feel confident using it as their main source of depositing and withdrawing funds to and from their account.
Ecopayz
Ecopayz is another e-wallet which is widely accepted by most online casinos and has the same benefits as the e-wallets listed above. It’s pertinent to note that all e-wallets have a very small transaction fee that’s charged each time a transaction is made but the fees are miniscule and the advantages of using them far outweigh the transaction fees imposed by e-wallet merchants.
Indian players have many online casinos to choose from to play their favourite casino games and even though Indian Rupees might not be accepted by many, there still are plenty of options to overcome these small obstacles. As a general rule, it’s always important to read over the terms and conditions to discover whether Indian players are allowed to join an online casino and as a player, it is your responsibility to adhere to the rules set by online casinos.
Indian Casinos Licences
As with casinos from any country, it's worth making sure that the casino you will be playing at is licensed by a well-respected regulatory body. Online gambling is legal with a local licence in Sikkim and Goa, and horse racing in person is legal elsewhere in the country. If you will be playing at a casino licensed abroad, however, you should make sure to pick one that is licensed with a European regulatory body such as the MGA or UKGC, one licensed with the Kahnawake Gambling Commission, or a casino with another well-regarded licence.
Indian Online Casinos FAQ
You might have a few questions about online gambling in India - don't worry, we've got you covered!
