Rummy, Poker, Fantasy: What's Legal in Your State?

India has no single law for online real-money gaming. Each state can ban or licence it — and several have. Here is the 2026 state-by-state position.

• Skill games (rummy, fantasy sports, poker, chess) — Supreme Court has held these are NOT gambling. Default position: legal.
• Chance games (cricket betting, dice, roulette) — covered by Public Gambling Act, 1867. Default position: illegal.
• Each state can override the default — TN, AP, Telangana have done so for online real-money games.

• GST: 28% on full face value of every deposit (since 1 October 2023).
• TDS: 30% on net winnings, deducted by the operator (Section 194BA).

Official: GST Council · Income-tax Act 115BBJ / 194BA · Grievance Appellate Committee · Cyber-crime helpline 1930.

For SRB framework, IT Rules 2023, complete law citations, what to do if winnings are not released, and 12 FAQ:

→ Read the full Online Gaming Law guide for India 2026

• Gambling laws — broader citizen guide
• UPI gambling fraud — what to do

~~DISCUSSION:off~~