There are plenty of gambling sites available to Indian players, but how can you tell which are the best? In this guide to top Indian online casinos and sportsbooks, we’ve covered all there is to know about India’s online gambling market.
If you’re familiar with what makes a good gambling site, you can choose from the top sites list below. Alternatively, we recommend you continue reading for a more detailed explanation of why India’s best online gambling sites are so good.
At this stage, we would like to assure you that all of our recommendations are legal and licensed. You will not be putting yourself in any risk by choosing these sites as they are all scam-free and meet the local requirements of the law.
Additionally, all of our sites are fair and will give you the best chance to win on your investments. If you’re new to online gambling, you may be unfamiliar with how to spot a top gambling site. As you scroll through, you will learn the different important elements that guarantee the best playing experience.
The Top 10 Indian Gambling Sites by Category
- NetBet (Best Online Gambling Site)
- LeoVegas (Top Casino App Website)
- Casumo (Good Site for Online Slots in India)
- Royal Panda (World Renown Casino Gambling)
- 10 Cric (Great for Cricket Betting & Slots)
- 22bet (Best Sports Betting Site & App)
- Genesis Casino (Top Real Money Table Games)
- Jackpot City (Recommended Gambling Site for Welcome Bonus Offer)
- Betway (Best for Online Sports Betting & E-Sports)
- Spin Casino (Online Casino Site with the Best Payouts)
Best Indian Online Casinos
When we’re judging an online casino, we need to consider numerous factors. First and foremost, we need to be certain that the site is both fair and secure. There’s nothing fun about playing with an operator that is trying to rip you off or put you at risk of cyber-attacks.
From here, we judge the games available at the sites. The best online gambling sites will offer a wide variety of titles in different game categories, including slots, table games, poker, roulette and more. They should also offer games by reputable software developers, and provide both free and real money games.
Above, we have presented the best Indian online casinos according to the games criteria. As you can see, each site offers a decent selection of games, is secure and offers a welcome bonus. A good welcome bonus is an important way to lure new customers, hence why we evaluate promotions when determining our recommendations.
Indian casinos accept many different kinds of payment methods, though some payment methods are certainly better than other. We like to see a casino accept popular, secure and fast banking options. Of course, customer service is also important, so we also judge the available customer care options.
Best Online Sportsbooks in India
Over the last decade, online sports betting sites have become more popular in India. While India’s laws are currently very clear about the illegality of sports betting with land-based bookies, locals are free to place wager online with foreign operators. This is great news for Indians, with the country known for being passionate about sports.
In particular, Indian bettors are most drawn to wagering on cricket, horse racing and tennis. Furthermore, US sports leagues such as the NFL and Major League Baseball also attract plenty of attention from Indian bettors. Below, you will find a list of the top online sportsbooks for Indian gamblers.
Fortunately for Indian sports bettors, welcome bonuses aren’t reserved just for the online casino players. Online sportsbooks also offer plenty of exciting welcome bonuses and promotions to loyal customers. The most common India sports betting sites bonus offers include bonus funds, free bets, reload bonuses, competitive odds and odds boosts.
Before you sign up with any online sportsbook in India, it’s important to be certain that the site has been licensed by a respected regulator. As India doesn’t regulate online gambling sites, we recommend only signing up to casinos and sportsbooks that have been licensed by the UKGC, the MGA, and other European gaming bodies. These are reputable agencies when it comes to leglislation surounding legal online gambling and sports betting sites
Best Live and Table Games Gambling Sites
Live dealer games are probably the closest thing that Indian players can get to the excitement of land-based casino gambling. These games pit you against real-life dealers that are streamed from elegant studios and into your mobile or computer screen in real-time. There are a huge variety of games, designs and betting options available.
Often, live dealer games are table games such as blackjack, baccarat and roulette, though it’s also possible to find poker games and TV game show adaptations too. Below, you can find the best Indian live casinos.
There are several top live game developers, with Playtech and NetEnt being great options. However, without a doubt Evolution Gaming is the highest-quality live dealer option available, and tends to have the most unique gaming options hosted in the most beautiful sets.
If you’re looking to play table games but want something that has a little less of a time-sensitive element to it, you may prefer virtual table games. These are played against a computer, though still come in many different exciting real money variants. These have higher odds to win and are a great opportunity to practice.
Top Indian Online Poker Sites
Due to the lack of regulation of India’s online gambling industry, local players are free to play online poker and virtual poker. If you’re wondering what the difference is, online poker allows you to compete against real players while virtual tables pit you against computers.
There are several top online poker sites that accept Indian customers in single game events or tournaments. Game types include the popular Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud Poker and much more.
Indian players are quite fortunate that they are allowed to play online poker. This is because many countries have outlawed poker as illegal gambling. Other countries have classified it as a game of skill rather than a game of chance, and have legalized it on those grounds. India, instead, only outlaws land-based poker.
This is an important point to remember when playing online poker. We would never suggest locals play land-based poker for real money or you run the risk of breaking the law. Instead, only play legally-accepted online poker games.
How to Find a Safe Indian Gambling Site
As we’ve mentioned, there is a lack of regulation of online gambling sites in India, and online gambling is tolerated. However, because of this, there are no local organizations to ensure casinos and sportsbooks are acting fairly. For this reason, you must be vigilant about choosing safe sites.
This is made even more complicated by the fact that the internet is filled with unsafe websites just waiting to scam unsuspecting players. In this section, we’ll take you through some steps on how to identify what makes our best online gambling sites safe, and what makes an untrustworthy site.
The Legality of Online Gambling in India
For the most part, India’s gambling laws are determined by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which essentially outlaws all forms of land-based gambling. However, the country has no federal act concerning online gambling, which has allowed locals to sign up with foreign operators without fear of breaking the law.
This means that no matter where players are located in India, they are able to play real money gambling games and place bets at online sports betting sites. Whether it’s slots, table games, live games, bingo or sports betting, Indian players can enjoy an extensive gambling market provided by world-class operators.
Keep in mind that if you are gambling in a location that doesn’t allow legal online gambling, you will never be able to find a trustworthy site. Any operator that accepts players in an illegal market is acting irresponsible and is greedy, which puts customers in further danger.
The Importance of Strong Security & Licensing
Why risk any hard earned cash at all if you’re in danger of being scammed? It doesn’t make sense to gamble with a site that is not secure. This is why all of our recommended sites meet minimum safety standards when it comes to online security. For one, the site must always use encryption technology.
Encryption guarantees that players’ connections to websites, and in turn, their finances and private information, are protected from hackers. This can be determined by checking for a padlock symbol in the URL bar.
Additionally, an online gambling site must always be licensed to be trustworthy. As India doesn’t have a licensing authority, check to see that the site has earned a license by a reputable gaming authority such as the MGA or UKGC at the bottom of the page.
In order to earn a license with these regulators, sites must prove that the games they offer are fair, that the site is secure and that it is committed to encouraging responsible gambling. It also ensures that players can always get the help they require from customer support.
The Top Game Types Available in India
Let’s be honest: most online casino players will look at the games catalogues offered by a site well before they look deeper into the safety and security features. While we certainly don’t recommend this, we completely understand why. After all, the games are the fun part of the online gambling experience.
Slot machines tend to make up the majority of a casino games catalogue, and come in boundless varieties that appeal to all players. Table games are the second most popular option. The best online casinos will offer games by award-winning developers that are exciting, bold, unique and fair.
Some of the most popular Indian online casino games include:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Craps
- Baccarat
- Video Poker
- Live Dealer Games
- Keno
- Bingo
Nowadays, most online casino games can be played on mobile devices as well as on laptops and computers. These games are available as both real money and free versions, and are compatible with iOS and Android devices. Smartphone gambling is by far the most convenient way to enjoy casinos.
Fortunately, all of our recommended sites offer a mobile gaming experience, whether that’s through a dedicated mobile app or through a custom web browser platform.
New Customer Welcome Bonuses
If you’re familiar with online gambling sites, you’ve probably claimed a welcome bonus before. Welcome bonuses award new customers different perks to kick-start their experience at the site, and can be a great way to try new games. The most common kinds of bonuses include deposit matches, no-deposit bonuses, free spins and free sports bets.
On our recommended casinos lists, we’ve provided links to claim the welcome bonuses straight away. Below, you will find a list of the very best Indian bonuses available, as well as their terms and conditions.
| Gambling Site | Bonus Amount | Bonus Type | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. JackpotCity | ₹160,000 | Deposit Match | ₹1000 |
| 2. NetBet | ₹1000 Free Bet | Free Sports Bet | ₹2500 |
| 3. Genesis Casino | ₹30,000 + 20 Free Spins | Free Slot Spins | ₹800 |
| 4. Betway | ₹2500 | Sports Deposit Bonus | ₹200 |
| 5. NetBet | ₹2,500 | Poker Welcome Bonus | ₹500 |
We’ve included the terms and conditions as these can often indicate the true value of a welcome bonus. For example, these determine how long you have to use the bonus (the validity), how your bonus must be used (wagering requirements) and how much can be won with bonus funds (limits).
In some cases, the terms and conditions will render the bonus useless for many players. This will all depend on how frequently you gamble and the kind of games you enjoy. Keep in mind that accepting bonuses is not mandatory at all, and sometimes it may be better just to ignore them completely.
Payment Methods Accepted by Indian Gambling Sites
The first thing you will need to do before you can play with real money at a gambling site is make a cash deposit. Ideally, you want your transactions to be cost-free and speedy, hence why it’s important to guarantee that a site offers plenty of payment options before signing up.
In addition to speed and costs, it’s also important that the payment methods are encrypted and secure. The best way to determine this is by checking that popular, reliable methods are accepted, such as the ones below.
- PayPal: is the most widely-used and respected e-Wallet across the globe. Trusted for its speed and security, this is perhaps the best gambling site payment method available.
- Visa: is among the most popular credit card companies in the world. Fast, reliable, secure and convenient, Visa is a payment brand that you can trust.
- Mastercard: is another popular credit card brand that has plenty of security features built-in. A gambling site that accepts Mastercard is almost always reliable.
- Bitcoin: is the most widely-used crypto-currency in the world. Bitcoin is loved by security enthusiasts for its transparency and trackability, and does not charge fees.
- Bank Transfer: these payments are probably the most easy to facilitate, but may be the slowest. They frequently support both deposits and withdrawals.
- E-Wallets: essentially allow users to hook numerous financial methods to one account. These allow for great control of transactions and are both secure and convenient.
Even the most popular payment methods vary greatly in terms of transaction times, payment limits and security features. In some cases, one method may facilitate instantaneous withdrawals, while others may take longer than a week. Some may charge fees, while others may be completely free.
It’s important that you be aware of the functions of each payment method before you choose them. It’s standard for online casinos to include details about payment options within the website terms or on a dedicated Payments page, so check these details out before you choose.
Gambling Sites To Avoid
Now that you know how to spot a good gambling website, you should be armed with all the information you need to spot a site that is not trustworthy. For one, if an online casino or sportsbook does not have a license, you can safely assume that it is not committed to running a fair, secure and transparent operation.
If the site does not accept standard banking methods with built-in security features, the site has probably not been verified by major financial institutions. In addition to this, slow payout times, payment fees, unresponsive customer service and a lack of collaboration with responsible gambling organizations also indicate untrustworthiness.
Final Thoughts on Indian Gambling Sites
There are both pros and cons to India’s unregulated online gambling market. On the positive side, Indian gamblers are free to enjoy some top gambling sites that offer plenty of great game types from world-class software developers. These sites are fair, safe, secure, and of course, plenty of fun.
However, due to the absence of a local regulator, Indian gamblers must be extra cautious about choosing sites that are safe and secure. That being said, our best online gambling sites are trustworthy, so as long as you follow our recommendations and advice, you can gamble with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we covered a wide array of topics in this guide to online gambling in India, we weren’t able to answer everything. This is why we’ve provided a section to answer some commonly asked questions about the local industry. Whether it’s information about the laws or the safety of Indian gambling sites, we have addressed these concerns here.
What is the legal gambling age in India?
As there are no legal local online gambling sites, it is up to the foreign gambling operators to decide the minimum age requirements of Indian customers. In order to maintain a pleasant relationship with local governments, gambling sites only accept players that are 21 years old or over. This applies to both casinos and sportsbooks.
Are gambling winnings taxes in India?
Yes, online gambling winnings are taxed in India. This is outlined in the Income Tax Act of 1961, which stipulates that any income earned from gambling or betting is taxable income. Gambling winnings are taxed at a flat rate of 30 per cent, and must be declared in your tax return.
Can you actually win real money when gambling online?
Yes, you can win real money when gambling online at Indian online casinos and sportsbooks. Of course, you will need to make a cash deposit first — unless, of course, you meet the wagering requirements of a no-deposit bonus. In order to ensure that your real money transactions are fast and fair, choose a speed payment method with no fees.
Is online gambling legal in India?
Are Indian gambling sites secure?
More Good Gambling Guides for Indian Players
Do you want to know more about the best online gambling sites in India? To learn more about the kinds of games available and some other gambling tips, visit one of our informative guides listed below. Each guide is easy to understand and promises to help both amateur and experienced gamblers find exactly what they’re looking for. If you are on the wrong country hub, scroll to our footer or visit our international guide to online gambling to find the right page for you.