What is the status of sports betting in India when the bookie is based in a foreign country having a genuine license?
Is it legal to participate in betting like foreign based licensed companies like Betway.com.
Online Sports betting in India is not ILLEGAL.
Betting on sites like Betway, 22Bet, Casumo etc are legal sites where one can bet on games of skill.
The control on Betting and Gambling is with the State Government. It is upon the states to make specific rules for their respective state. The legality of Gambling laws in India are not clear due to the distinction between the 2 types of Gambling namely-
1. GAME OF SKILL- Betting on games of skill is legal. Anything that requires the use of skill is considered legal.
2. GAME OF CHANCE- Betting on games of chance and luck are illegal.
The Apex Court in India has defined Skill Games as, "The competitions where success depends on substantial degree of skill are not gambling and despite there being an element of chance if a game is preponderantly a game of skill it would nevertheless be a game of mere skill."
According to this, Horse Racing, Dog Racing, Rummy are Game of skill and hence legal. But, three carder games which are purely based on luck or randomness of cards are illegal.
