Poker’s legality in India has been one of the most debated topics. The legal framework of the country is complex due to the absence of clear-cut laws. The Public Gambling Act, 1867 is the main law governing gambling in the Indian states. The act declares gambling as illegal in the country. However, Section 12 of this particular act excludes “ the games of skill’ from its purview. The Supreme Court of India and various High Courts have classified it as a game of skill. The reason is simple – the game poker requires skills, training, statistical knowledge, experience and strategic thinking to excel.
The outcome in this game is based on probability and skill, rather than luck, so it is classified as a game of skill in several states of India. While poker is recognized as a skill sport just like chess by international bodies such as the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), its legality in India is still ambiguous with some states considering it as a game of skill, while others classifying it as a game of chance. Here is a breakdown of the states that have allowed, restricted or prohibited all forms of gambling activities.
States Where Poker Rooms Are Fully Legal In India
In the absence of a single national law governing poker, different states follow different approaches towards the legality of the game. While the Public Gambling Act of 1867 governs the game in most states, it does not account for the rapid changes, or explicitly mention poker. Also, it does not clearly recognize poker as a game of skill. This results in different states looking at poker in different ways. It is because of this law that some states recognize it as a game of skill, while others classify it as a game of chance, banning it all forms. Here is a quick look at the states allowing to run poker rooms.
1. Goa
Poker in Goa is completely legal and poker players can play the game in licensed casinos, which operate under the Goa, Daman, and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976. Goa allows the game in all licensed casinos, including floating and land-based casinos. Some popular floating casinos include Deltin Royale, Big Daddy, Casino Pride, Deltin Jaqk and more. The land-based casinos are permitted only within 5-star hotels only.
2. Sikkim
Sikkim follows liberal gambling regulations under the ‘Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules, 2009’ and the ‘Sikkim Casinos (Control and Tax) Act, 2002.’, permitting both online and live poker operations. You can play the game in various venues such as Casino Golden, Deltin Denzong, Casino Mahjong and several others operating within the state.
3. Nagaland
Nagaland is another Indian state where poker has been recognized as a game of skill the ‘Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling & Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Act 2016’. While Nagaland does not host physical venues for live poker, the small Indian state issues licenses for online poker platforms offering games of skill. Khelo365.com and ClubEmpire.in were some of the early recipients of the Nagaland online gaming license to operate online skill games in the state, including poker.
4. West Bengal
West Bengal also recognizes poker as a game of skill, allowing both online and offline poker (limited to specific formats like Texas Hold‘em). With the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957 excluding games of skill from its definition, several venues in the state offer legal poker . The legal status of poker was further reinforced by the Calcutta High Court’s 2019 ruling, which asked police to not to interfere in poker games unless there were specific allegations of gambling or other illegal activities, thus providing massive relief for poker players in West Bengal, especially in Kolkata where several venues offer legal poker games.
5. Daman & Diu
According to the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976, casinos can be set up only at five-star hotels or offshore vessels with the prior permission of the government. Although the two Islands are away from each other, they fall under the same governance and have emerged as popular destinations for poker players looking to play legal poker games.
While the legal framework allows casino operations in Daman and Diu, the actual availability of games like poker depends on individual casino offerings and the licenses they hold. Players should verify the current status of these establishments and the games they offer before planning a visit because as per some sources, Daman currently offers only online poker.
States Where Poker Rooms Are Not Allowed
Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are some of the states that classify poker as a game of chance, making poker illegal. These states prohibit any poker game involving stakes.
Assam: The Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970, does not allow games involving monetary stakes, including poker.
Odisha: The Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955, bans all games coming under gambling without exceptions for skill games like poker.
Telangana: The Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2017, expanded the definition of gaming to include games of skill when played for stakes, effectively banning poker.
Andhra Pradesh: The Andhra Pradesh Gaming (Amendment) Act amended in 2020 bans all real-money gaming, including poker.
Gujarat: In 2017, the Gujarat High Court ruled that poker is a game of chance, classifying it under gambling and making it illegal in the state.
Status of Poker In The Other States of India
Karnataka: The HC ruled poker as a skill game in 2021, striking down the state’s online gaming ban. However, the state lacks proper regulation for the game.
Delhi: Poker clubs in the capital city operate freely, but there is no proper licensing framework for online platforms.
Tamil Nadu: Poker is in this state regulated under TNOGA 2025, with strict KYC, deposit limits, and a gaming curfew from 12 AM – 5 AM.
Maharashtra: While there is no official ban in this state, poker is not classified as a skill game, leaving private clubs in a legal gray area.
Uttar Pradesh: It is not exactly in the list of ‘poker legalised states’. However, the Allahabad HC has recently declared that the games – poker and rummy are skill-based games, which may pave the way for poker’s legality in future.
Bihar: No clear stance on poker but several clubs and online platforms operate in the state without licensing or permission of the state.
The legality of poker varies from state to state in India with some allowing it in all forms, others heavily regulating it, while a few completely banning it. However, with the game’s popularity soaring high and several bodies like All India Gaming Federation along various poker rooms constantly fighting for the legal status of poker, we can hope for a better future for poker in the country. Keep following PokerProNews for more!
