The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) published draft rules for domestic online casinos and e-sport gambling sites on January 2nd, 2023, in an effort to pass legislation to protect players and Indian residents.
The new set of rules comes just days after the federal government named MeitY India’s governing body for online gaming industries. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) was named the regulating body for e-sports and other multi-sport events.
Online Gambling In India
India’s online gaming market is currently the fourth largest in the world, with more than 560 million internet users. Of all the internet users in India, most come from mobile devices (85%), followed by personal computer users, with 11% of the market.
Legal online casino gambling in India currently allows users to play offshore and domestic casino sites. In 2021 India had more than 220 million gamers who spent an average of 45 minutes a day playing online games.
Are Online Casinos Legal In India?
Yes, because there are no laws that forbid online gambling, and there are also no laws that specifically make online gambling legal. India’s gambling laws do not mention online casinos or even the internet, as most were written before the technological boom.
The new legislation proposed by MeitY will only affect domestic casinos operating inside the country. If passed, domestic online casinos will have to register with a self-regulatory body, and only approved games will be allowed to operate online from India.
Is Online Esports Gambling Legal?
Yes, online sports betting sites and e-sport betting sites can legally offer their services to India from outside the country. Domestic sports betting is not available at this time, but with the rise in popularity of e-sports, it is expected to launch soon.
The new proposed online gambling bill states that betting on the outcome of sporting events will not be allowed from domestic sites, but e-sports betting will be allowed.
What Can Online Casino Offer Indian Residents?
Indian residents can play many games online, including craps, roulette, blackjack, poker, keno, slots, and more. Online casino sites offer games via mobile or desktop devices, and account holders can play on the go or at home.
Online offshore casinos also offer more banking options to players than they can find on domestic casino sites. In addition to gambling with the Indian Rupee, account holders can wager with bitcoin, altcoins, USD, and more. There are also many bonus options for new account holders and returning players.