Goa is the most popular beach destination in the Indian sub-continent, and it is famous for its rich Portuguese heritage among others. One of the lesser known facts about Goa is, that gambling and betting in Goa is LEGAL. Yes, you heard it right. Through this article we will talk about the origin of gambling laws, particularly so online gambling laws and history of gambling in Goa.
When the word gambling comes to one’s mind, it raises many an eyebrow. However, being equipped with the right knowledge and the know-hows of gambling in Goa, you could make a fortune out of it. We will walk you through the common questions regarding legality and safe Gambling practices in Goa and how you could earn real bucks through gambling and still not land up behind the bars.
We’ve listed our favorite casinos, sportsbooks and poker sites accepting players from Goa India below. Pick a site and start playing!
Yes, it is legal to participate in online gambling in Goa.
There are 10 land-based casinos in Goa.
You can absolutely use INR Indian Rupees to bet on sports, at casinos and poker rooms.
Yes, you can bet on sports, including Indian Premier League cricket.
When it comes to legality of online gambling in Goa, you could apply this principle, “anything that the law of the land does not forbid specifically, is indeed legal”. While there are specific statutes with regards to the status of gambling in Goa, no specific law terms online betting as illegal in all or any part of Goa.
The Public Gambling Act is a central law that prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house. The penalty for breaking this law is a fine of ₹200 or imprisonment of up to 3 months. Additionally, this Act prohibits visiting gambling houses. A fine of ₹100 or imprisonment of up to one month is the penalty.
Indian law classifies games into two broad categories viz. game of skill and game of chance. The Supreme Court of India has, for instance, held that the game of Rummy is not a game entirely of chance like the ‘three-card’ game mentioned in the Madras case to which we were referred.
The ‘three card’ game which goes under different names such as ‘flush’, ‘brag’ etc. is a game of pure chance. Rummy, on the other hand, requires a certain amount of skill because the fall of the cards has to be memorised and the building up of Rummy requires considerable skill in holding and discarding cards. We cannot, therefore, say that the game of Rummy is a game of entire chance. It is mainly and preponderantly a game of skill.
This means Online casinos, and online betting through websites is perfectly legal in India, provided:
An Act to provide for the punishment of public gambling and the keeping of common gaming houses in the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.
“the Government may authorise[d] any game of electronic amusement/slot machines in Five Star Hotels {and such table games and gaming on board in vessels offshore as may be notified} subject to such conditions, including payment of such recurring and non-recurring fees, as may be prescribed”
