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.
State-Wise Position
| State | Rummy / Poker (online, real-money) | Fantasy Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Banned (2022 Act, partly stayed) | Banned for stakes |
| Andhra Pradesh | Banned (2020) | Banned for stakes |
| Telangana | Banned (2017) | Banned for stakes |
| Karnataka | Allowed (2021 ban struck down by HC) | Allowed |
| Sikkim | Licensed | Licensed |
| Nagaland | Licensed (skill games only) | Licensed |
| Goa, Daman | Casinos legal | Allowed |
| All other states | Allowed (skill games — Satyanarayana 1968) | Allowed (Varun Gumber 2017) |
The "Skill vs Chance" Test
- 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.
Two Universal Rules (apply everywhere)
- 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.
Full Guide
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