Online casino operators are broadening their horizons as many are expanding their business to countries in Asia, such as India. And many Indians have met the casino industry with open arms, as the online gambling market is expected to reach 5 billion dollars by 2025. But like other countries, there are differences between regions and states in terms of whether it is legal or not. Keep reading to find out which casinos to choose and where you can play.
The history of gambling in India
India has quite an interesting backstory on gambling, as some believe it dates back to as far as the 7300s BC. Back then, Indians would use nuts from a tree as a dice to play. Animals would then enter the picture, as Indians began gambling with rams and later horse racing.
Initially, casinos were not allowed in India, since the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibited running a public gambling house. But later on, three states began running casinos. These were Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, where there are both land-based and floating casinos. By 1976, it was only prohibited to set up casinos at five-star hotels. Today, India offers a mix of both online and land-based casinos.
Playing online in India
There are no federal laws on online betting, and the legislation is up to every state. As of 2022, online gambling is legal in Goa, Daman, and Sikkim. And when playing online, you don’t even have to leave your home to indulge in the thrilling environment of casinos.
Today, Indian online casinos like BC.game and Pari Match are among the most trusted. But since online gambling is not legal everywhere in India, it can be difficult to navigate in which one to choose. That is why you can check out more at India Casinos, where you will find the best games at the most reliable and safe casinos.4
The physical casinos
There are two types of physical casino establishments: There are floating casinos found in ships and land-based casinos, which are often located by or combined with hotels. When visiting beautiful Goa many tourists decide to take a stroll by one of the casinos. One hotel which is a popular attraction is Casino Carnival located at the Mariott Resort and Spa in Goa. Here you get different types of table games like Baccarat and Blackjack as well as different slot machines.
Here are three other casinos worth visiting:
- Casino Palms in Goa
- Casino Mahjong in Sikkim
- Deltin Daman Casino in Daman
How has it changed India
It is estimated that 50.000 jobs have been created from the gambling industry, and online casinos are gaining a lot of revenue, as both Indians and foreigners spend at the casinos.
In the 21st century, some people have taken part in illegal gambling activities, often underground gambling. But others have argued that regulated gambling can be very profitable for the state, as governments in other countries receive the revenue from gambling. Regardless, it is always important to research the legal framework before playing, as there is different legislation on gambling from state to state.