Gambling in India has roots deep in ancient mythology and culture. References to dice games appear in sacred texts like the Rigveda and the Mahabharata, where games of chance shaped historic destinies. As centuries passed, gambling shifted from a royal pastime during the Mughal era to a widespread activity across all social classes during colonial British rule. This paved the way for a more regulated, and eventually digital, landscape.

Ancient and Colonial Beginnings

  • Dice and Card Games: Ancient texts such as the Mahabharata showcased dramatic consequences of gambling, reinforcing its presence in Indian society.

  • Mughal and Colonial Eras: Games like chaupar (a precursor to ludo) were played at royal courts. British colonial rule brought clubs and establishments, but also legal restrictions, leading to the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which criminalized public gambling houses.

Modern Legal Milestones

  • 1949: State Powers — Indian states were empowered to legislate on gambling under the Constitution (Seventh Schedule, Entry 34). This led to a patchwork of regulations.

  • 1976: Goa Legalizes Casinos — Allowed casino operations in five-star hotels and on offshore vessels.

  • 2000: Information Technology Act — Addressed digital crimes, impacting online gambling indirectly.

  • 2008: Sikkim Online Gaming Regulation Act — Permitted regulated online gaming including casinos within Sikkim’s borders.

  • 2016: Nagaland Online Games of Skill Act — Created legal frameworks for games determined by skill (poker, rummy, fantasy sports).

  • 2025: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act — Established a National Online Gaming Commission and set licensing standards for all online gaming platforms, separating permitted skill-based games from games of chance.

The Digital Transformation: Rise of Online Casinos

As internet penetration increased in the late 1990s and early 2000s, offshore casinos began accepting Indian players. However, these platforms typically operated in foreign currencies and under international licenses. The rapid growth of mobile internet further catalyzed the evolution of the industry:

  • Mobile Apps and Payment Solutions: In the 2010s, casinos launched apps targeting Indian users, supporting rupee deposits and familiar payment systems like UPI and Paytm.

  • State-Level Legalization: Sikkim, Nagaland, and Meghalaya became pioneers of regulated online gaming, while other states often maintained bans or ambiguity.

  • Skill vs Chance: Courts repeatedly clarified that games of skill, such as rummy and poker, fell outside the scope of gambling bans, leading to surges in online platforms specializing in these games.

Bilbet and Modern Online Casino Culture

The arrival of casinos optimized for Indian players marks a new era. Bilbet, established in 2021, is one of the leading platforms reflecting this transformation. Its success is attributed to a deep understanding of Indian player needs and compliance with evolving regulations:

  • Licensing and Trust:Bilbet operates under an international license (#8048/JAZ Curacao), catering to Indian users with strict adherence to responsible gaming standards and legal requirements.

  • Tailored Experience: Supports deposits and wagers in INR, incorporates popular Indian payment methods (PayTM, UPI, PhonePE), and delivers games favored by local audiences.

  • Compliance: Bilbet’s regulatory framework ensures secure user data, anti-fraud measures, and reliable withdrawal mechanisms. Multi-accounting is strictly prohibited, maintaining integrity for all players.

  • Customer Focus: The casino provides 24/7 multilingual support, including vernacular languages, enhancing the user experience for Indian gamblers.

Key Features of Bilbet Casino

  • Legal operation with licensing and transparency.

  • Accepts Indian rupees and supports local payment options.

  • Offers responsible gaming with self-exclusion and deposit limits.

  • Prohibits multi-accounting and enforces strict user verification.

  • Features a robust mobile gaming app, matching desktop functionality.

Regulation and Social Impact

Online gambling’s legal status in India is complex — shaped by central acts, state regulations, and recent legislative efforts like the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Authorities enforce strict standards:

  • Platforms must register with self-regulatory bodies and obtain licenses.

  • Games of skill are permitted; pure games of chance involving money are restricted.

  • The Central Consumer Protection Authority blocks misleading advertisements by celebrities, and enforces penalties on offenders.

  • Problem gambling and addiction concerns have led to the development of responsible gaming features, mandatory warnings, and dispute redressal mechanisms.

Current Landscape and Ongoing Change

Despite regulatory fragmentation, online casinos are thriving in India, led by platforms like Bilbet that combine compliance, innovation, and localization. With the ongoing debate over central versus state regulation, the legal future of online gambling in India remains dynamic but steadily progressing toward clearer standards and safer play.

Timeline Summary of Key Events

  • 1867: Public Gambling Act criminalizes public gambling houses.

  • 1949: Gambling powers transferred to states.

  • 1976: Goa legalizes casinos.

  • 2000: Information Technology Act brings digital regulation.

  • 2008: Sikkim legalizes and regulates online gaming.

  • 2016: Nagaland recognizes skill-based online games.

  • 2021: Meghalaya regulates gaming; emergence of locally focused platforms.

  • 2021–Present: Bilbet rises as a modern, legal, and trusted online casino for Indian players.

  • 2025: Introduction of a comprehensive online gaming regulatory act.

Conclusion

The history of online casinos in India is a journey from mythological games of chance to sophisticated, regulated digital platforms. Bilbet stands as a representative of this modern era—a legal, reliable, and player-focused online casino, illustrating how tradition and technology now coexist amid evolving regulatory frameworks. As legislation continues to shape the market, responsible, innovative platforms like Bilbet are likely to define the future of online gaming in India.