Is online gaming legal in India in 2026? State-by-state breakdown

Getting a lot of DMs about legality, so here's the current state-by-state breakdown as of April 2026:

✅ Legal (Skill Games Allowed)

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and most other states.

❌ Restricted / Banned

• Andhra Pradesh — Complete ban on online gaming (2020 ordinance, upheld)
• Telangana — Banned under Telangana Gaming Act (includes skill games)
• Assam — Online gaming banned (2021)
• Odisha — Partially restricted
• Nagaland — Licensing required, most platforms don't operate
• Sikkim — Restricted for some game types

The Key Legal Principle

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that games of skill are protected under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. Rummy, poker, fantasy sports, and chess are classified as skill games. The Karnataka High Court's 2022 ruling reinforced this.

More detailed regulatory analysis: GameHubs Regulatory Comparison

Industry context: Entertainment Monitor

Important addition: even in "legal" states, check the specific game type. Some states allow rummy but restrict poker or slots. The regulatory landscape is a patchwork — what's legal in Karnataka might be restricted in Gujarat for certain game types.

Always check the platform's terms for your specific state before depositing.

Thanks for this. I'm in Karnataka so I'm good. But what happens if you move to a restricted state? Can you still withdraw your existing balance?

Yes, you can withdraw existing balance. Platforms don't seize your money if you move to a restricted state — they just prevent new deposits and gameplay. Withdraw your balance and you're fine.