Are Gambling and Casinos- Legal in India?

Gambling is a kind of game where you risk money or something of monetary value in order to win money or a prize. Mostly, dealing in money and its kind using very little or no skill and relying more on luck for earning an unreasonable and unexpected monetary return. It is Casino where most which host live entertainment; it is a public room or building where gambling games are played.

According to the Public Gambling Act of 1867, it prohibits running or being in charge of a public gaming house or a 'Casino'. The penalty for breaking this law is a fine of Rs.200 or imprisonment of up to 3 months. However, visiting gambling houses a fine of Rs.100 or imprisonment of up to one month is levied.

Gambling is a state subject in India and only states are entitled to formulate laws for gambling activities within their respective states. Currently, out of 29 states and 7 Union Territories, only 3 of them allow casinos as legal.

• GOA -There are 10 casinos in Goa, out of which six are land-based and four are floating casinos that operate from the Mandovi River. In Goa, Casinos are taxed at a rate of 10%.
• Daman & Diu- According, 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.
• SIKKIM -There are only two casinos in Sikkim.

As per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act,1976, the following are utmost essential –

• Casinos can be set up only at five-star hotels or offshore vessels with the prior permission from the government.
• As per the recent amendment, the casino operators have to shell out Rs 5 crore for running casinos instead of the earlier license fee of Rs 1 crore.