Is Poker Legal in India? 2026 State-by-State Guide

Deltin Royale

India's largest live room

Anchored in the Mandovi River, Goa. Operated by Delta Corp — India's largest gaming company, which also owns Adda52. Multiple poker tables running 24/7. Main venue for IPC and WPT India stops.

India Poker Championship (IPC)

3-4 series per year

The flagship Indian live tournament series. Held in Goa at Deltin properties. Main events ₹25K-₹3.3L buy-in. Fields of 300-800 players standard. Produces India's largest live prize pools. Runs since 2010.

28% GST on Deposits

Since October 2023

The GST Council ruled that online gaming is taxed at 28% on total gross gaming revenue — meaning every deposit, not just net winnings. A ₹10,000 deposit effectively has ₹2,800 withheld before play begins. This ruling was upheld by the Supreme Court and had an immediate impact on recreational player economics. Several operators restructured their fee models in response.

30% TDS on Winnings

Section 194B

Tax Deducted at Source at 30% on individual contest winnings above ₹10,000. Platforms withhold automatically before releasing funds. Winnings are classified as 'income from other sources' on annual tax returns. Losses cannot be deducted against winnings — unlike the US system where recreational gambling losses can offset wins if itemizing.

No Deduction for Losses

No offset allowed

Unlike the US, where recreational gambling losses are deductible against winnings (up to the amount of winnings, if itemizing), Indian tax law does not permit poker losses to offset taxable wins. A player who wins ₹50,000 across 10 sessions but lost ₹40,000 in other sessions still pays full TDS on the winning sessions without any offset.

Is poker legal in India?

Yes — poker is legal in most of India as a 'game of skill' under Indian law. The Supreme Court of India and multiple state High Courts have consistently held that games predominantly involving skill (rather than chance) are exempt from the Public Gambling Act of 1867. The Calcutta High Court recognized poker as a game of skill as far back as 1957. More recent rulings by the Kerala High Court (2018), Karnataka High Court (2013), and others have reinforced this position. However, two states — Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — have explicitly banned online poker and card games for money under state gaming amendments, regardless of skill classification.

Which states ban online poker in India?

Two states have enacted explicit bans on online poker: (1) Andhra Pradesh — the AP Gaming Act 2017 banned all online gaming for real money, with criminal penalties for operators and players. (2) Telangana — a 2017 amendment to the Telangana Gaming Act explicitly banned online games of cards including poker and rummy for stakes. Players in these states who access domestic poker sites face legal risk, and major operators like Adda52 and PokerBaazi geofence these states. Additionally, Tamil Nadu attempted a ban in 2021 that was struck down by the Madras High Court as unconstitutional — online poker remains in a contested gray area there. Karnataka's 2021 Police (Karnataka Amendment) Act attempted to ban online card games for money but faced legal challenges.

How is poker taxed in India?

India has one of the world's heaviest poker tax burdens. At the deposit level, a 28% GST applies to all gross gaming revenue (total deposits) at online gaming platforms — this was introduced via a Supreme Court-backed GST Council ruling in October 2023. This effectively means players pay 28% on every deposit before playing. At the winnings level, 30% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is withheld on individual contest winnings above ₹10,000 under Section 194B of the Income Tax Act. Platforms automatically deduct this before releasing funds. Poker winnings are classified as 'income from other sources' on annual tax returns and added to total taxable income. Unlike in the United States, Indian players cannot deduct poker losses against winnings. The combined 28% GST on deposits plus 30% TDS on wins makes India's effective tax rate among the highest globally for recreational players.

What are the best legal Indian poker sites?

The leading licensed Indian poker platforms operating in INR are: Adda52 (largest player base, Sunday fields of 2,000+ players, UPI deposits, owned by Delta Corp which holds Goa gaming licenses), PokerBaazi (strong MTT schedule, mid-stakes focus, part of Baazi Games), Spartan Poker (boutique platform for serious players, acquired by Baazi Games in 2024, hosts high-guarantee Spartan Super Series), and 9stacks (mobile-first, casual player focus). All major platforms support UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm), NEFT/IMPS bank transfers, and most offer INR-denominated games without currency conversion. International sites like PokerStars and GGPoker also accept Indian players with INR conversion.

Can I play on international poker sites from India?

Yes — most international poker sites including PokerStars, GGPoker, and 888poker accept Indian players and allow INR deposits via card or wallet with currency conversion. There are no federal-level blocks on accessing international gambling sites in India (unlike Russia's Roskomnadzor system). However, players in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana face greater legal risk in accessing any real-money poker — domestic or international. Banking restrictions can make deposits to international sites more complicated than on domestic platforms; USDT cryptocurrency is increasingly used by Indian players who prefer international sites.

What is the Public Gambling Act 1867?

The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is India's base gambling legislation — a colonial-era law enacted under British rule, still formally in effect. It prohibits operating or visiting a 'common gaming house' but explicitly exempts 'games of mere skill.' This skill exemption has been the legal foundation for the Indian poker industry's argument that poker is a lawful activity. The Act is a central government legislation, but gambling is a state subject under India's Constitution (Schedule VII), meaning states have authority to pass their own gambling laws — which is why some states have banned online poker while others permit it. The Act predates online gambling entirely and requires significant interpretation to apply to internet poker.

Are home games legal in India?

Home games in India exist in a practical gray zone. The Public Gambling Act 1867 targets 'common gaming houses' — organized commercial venues. Private games among friends in a home setting, without a rake or commercial element, are generally not the target of enforcement in most states. In practice, home poker games are common in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other major cities, and police enforcement against private social games is effectively nonexistent. However, in states with explicit gambling bans (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), even private card games for money may technically violate state law. In states with restricted gambling frameworks (Maharashtra, Karnataka), private games with significant stakes that resemble commercial operations could attract attention.