Without a doubt, India is a country with a rich, deeply rooted history with Kings, mystical Gods and the Hindu Mythologies that date back to 2000BC. These ancient texts are comprised of hundreds of interesting tales and gambling is an important part of them. People in India have always used gambling as a means of steering clear from conflicts, befriending their enemies and getting rich fast. The country has greatly evolved over the centuries in terms of gambling, with the general perception changing and the rules evolving.
Tourists who arrive in India and are interested in indulging in fun gambling activities have plenty of licensed land casinos to choose from. They are located in a few states in the country, in areas where tourism is peaking all year-long. These areas also represent some of the hottest and most successful leisure attractions in the country, but they are also appealing to domestic players looking for some local gambling options. The Government continues to encourage reputable and authorised casinos to continue their activity, even though there is a very limited number of states that have made gambling houses legal. They are usually hosted by five-star hotels or they are floating casinos on riverboats.
Online casinos for real money in India are not placed outside the law at the moment, which means this form of gambling is not prohibited. Players are allowed to use offshore web casinos that are compatible with Indian players and feature Indian-friendly options such as the Rupee as an accepted currency. Plus, since online gambling is not yet officially regulated by the Government or the Gambling Act in the country, players are not asked to pay any taxes from their winning wagers.
Eager to learn more about the Indian states that are running legal brick-and-mortar gambling houses? Read on!
Best Casinos - January 2025
The Indian States Where Casinos Are Legal
As mentioned before, gambling in the country is subjected to heavy restrictions, with the exception of certain categories such as horse racing, rummy and lottery games. During the 21st century, more and more locals started to express their interest in placing real money bets on various prohibited sports and games. The critics of this movement believe that gambling can lead to various crimes, as well as money laundering and corruption. On the other hand, those who are in favour of legal, regulated and responsible gambling in India claim that the activity could attract large amounts of money to the state.
At the moment, gambling is legal in India in three states:
- Goa - There are ten casinos in Goa. Six of them are brick-and-mortar casinos based on land, while the rest are floating casinos and they are located on the Mandovi river (Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk, Pride and Pride 2).
- Sikkim - There are two casinos in Sikkim, Mahjong and Sikkim
- Daman and the Diu town part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
For example, land gambling houses in Goa constantly make hundreds of Rs crores on a yearly basis. Given the fact that the entry fee for a casino in Goa starts from INR 1000 and can easily reach INR 2000, depending on the casino and the day of the week you decide to visit the casino. On the other hand, joining an online casino that is Indian-friendly does not incur any costs or fees. On the contrary, players are welcomed with generous offers and promotions bringing them no deposit bonuses or free spins for playing slots online with zero risks. Indian players are familiar with the numerous advantages of offshore casinos that they can access using their mobile devices or home computers.
Gambling is definitely a matter of state decisions since each Indian state is allowed to officially express laws and regulations in terms of the gambling activities they would like to allow within their borders. According to the Public Gambling Act issued in 1867, running or managing a public gambling house in India is strictly forbidden. The penalty for breaking the law runs around ₹200, but there is also an alternative consisting of up to 90 days of jail time. Even those who decide to visit illegal gambling houses can expect to be fined ₹100 if they are caught, or be sent to prison or for up to 30 days.
The laws in the country classify games in two big categories: games of skill and games of chance. According to The Supreme Court of India, Rummy is not a game that solely relies on chance, which is the case of a ‘three-card’ game (brag or flush) that was mentioned in the Madras. The respective game is considered a game that exclusively relies on chance, whereas Rummy requires some skills since the falling cards must be memorised. The same can be said about the process of holding and discarding Rummy cards, which is also something that requires some skill. This makes Rummy mostly a game of skill and very little chance.
According to The Information Technology Act in 2000 that handles the legal regulations for cyber activities in the country, Gambling and Betting are terms that do not show up anywhere. This means that the respective Act can be individually interpreted by the Supreme Court. However, the Court has denied any implication in the examination. Plus, virtual gambling done online is banned in Maharashtra, according to "Bombay Wager Act".
In accordance with regulations part of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act issued in 1976, a casino can only be built at a 3-star hotel or on an offshore vessel, provided it has officially received with the prior permission of the government. This has allowed the Deltin Group responsible for the two casinos in Goa to open the doors to the first land Casino in Daman. The casino is currently open to the public and it would appear that Visakhapatnam is also taken into consideration by the same casino group for a future location for a new casino.
Top 10 Best Brick-and-Mortar Casinos In India
While the status of gambling in India continues to be controversial and anyone caught visiting a gambling house risks being fined, there are are still plenty of top casinos visited by passionate players in all parts of the world. Among them, we can mention the following:
Winners Casino In Goa
The casino is located in Hacienda de Ora that counts no less than 150 slot machines, as as well as poker and video games. It is, by far, one of the most successful and crowded destinations preferred by tourists who enjoy a wager every now and then, while on vacation
Deltin Royale Casino, The Second Largest Casino Resort In Daman
This is the second-largest casino in the country and it spreads over ten acres, counting an impressive surface of 60,000 square feet, all destined to serve as a gaming space. The casino is managed by Delta Corp and the owners believe that the casino is placed at a strategic distance from Mumbai and Gujarat. Many players consider this casino a gamer's haven thanks to a large number of slots machines and other casino titles that can be accessed here.
Deltin Jaqk Offers Over 350 Casino Games
The second casino part of the Deltin Group, Deltin Jaqk hosts a surprising number of games (350 and counting) with popular titles like roulette, poker and Baccarat Andar-Bahar, for some top gaming experiences.
Casino Carnival In Goa
The casino is located across four gorgeous and luxurious decks and it features some excellent entertainment packages that are suitable for people of all ages. The casino is also known to host periodical shows by local and international artists. If you are looking for a good time and you also want to do a little bit of gambling while visiting India or Goa in particular, this casino is an excellent solution.
Casino Pride Can Host 500 Visitors At The Same Time
The casino definitely counts among players' favourites since it can host more than 500 guests simultaneously, thanks to its impressive surface of over 30,000 square feet. It is located on an amazing vessel that is located on the Mandovi river and gamblers who have never tried a river casino before.
Casino Pearl, Just 15 Minutes Away From The International Airport In Goa
Casino Pearl is the largest gambling house in the south of Goa and it hosts fun games like blackjack, Tai-Sai, roulette, slots and baccarat. The casino is strategically placed less than 15 minutes away from the International Airport in Goa and it is one of the most sought after casinos here. Tourists can hop off the plane, grab a taxi and immediately start to play your favourite games with zero delays.
Casino Palms, Fun At The Beach & Top Casino Experience
Casino Palms is hosted by the Luxurious La Calypso Hotel in Goa and it is, by far, one of the most relaxing casinos you could choose when travelling to this part of India. It allows you to enjoy a fun time at the beach with the family or your friends while also giving you the alternative of a live casino experience whenever you feel like it.
Casino Paradise Is Players' Heaven In Goa
One of the biggest and at the same time most luxurious casinos in Goa, Casino Paradise can definitely send players straight to heaven with its 5,000 square feet filled with the most entertaining and fun casino games. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gaming experience, this casino is definitely it. It belongs to Neo Majestic which is a popular one in the region.
Dunes Casino in Zuri White Sands
This casino is located in the beautiful resort Zuri White Sands part of Goa and it has a surprisingly large library of games, including mini flush rummy games, as well as roulette and blackjack.
Chances Casino, Top Onshore Casino In Panjim
The casino is an excellent onshore venue in the region and it belongs to a 5-star boutique hotel in Panjim, the Goa region. It is most famous for popular for its classic gameplay in an amazingly luxurious location. The casino even promises to help feel rejuvenated at the end of their stay there.
Deltin Casino In Daman
This is the first land casino that is part of an important resort in the country and it is located outside of the Goa state. It is owned by Delta Corp. Ltd. This company is the only listed company that is involved in the casino industry, including online, live or electronic gambling activities in India.
Crown Casino In Goa
This is one of the most exciting blends of top-quality gambling, luxury and complete privacy. The casino hosts more than 40 air-conditioned rooms that are overlooking the Mandovi River, allowing players to admire a mesmerising view over Panaji.
Big Daddy Casino In Goa
The casino opened in 2019, May and it is part of the Panaji Hotels. It is open 24/7 and it hosts games like roulette, baccarat, 3-card poker, Paplu, Indian Flush, Rummy, Andar Bahar (one of the most popular games in India with the live dealer alternative gaining more popularity as it gives players the chance to enjoy unexpected forms of entertainment), Five Card Poker, as well as Omaha, Texas Hold'em and even poker tournaments.
Strike Casino, The Freshest Addition To Goa Casinos
Strike Casino belongs to the Grand Hyatt in Goa and it welcomes passionate casino players with casino titles like blackjack, roulette, rummy and Money Wheel or Teen Patti also called Indian Flush, yet another highly popular card game with origins in the Indian Subcontinent. The game resembles 3-card poker games and it features simpler rules compared to a traditional game of poker.
No matter which of these casinos you plan on visiting next time when you will be travelling to India, make sure you gamble responsibly. In the meanwhile, you can practice your favourite casino games online in any of the top offshore casinos online we have tested and reviewed for you. They all welcome players from India, which means you can expect Indian rupee payments, Hindi and English customer support and lots of local games available in the gaming libraries.
