News

The Ins and Outs of Online Gambling in India: Laws and Legislation Explained

Published

4 years ago

May 27, 2021

Needless to say, the online gambling industry has dominated the world by storm. In a nutshell, gaming industries from across the globe are thriving. In particular, the Indian market has experienced significant growth throughout the last couple of years. More and more players are trying their hand out at casino games and just in general experience what the gambling world has to offer.

Whether they’re raising their stakes at floating casinos in India, abroad or online, Indian players have expressed a keen interest in gambling. This is illustrated in some stats and figures; by the end of 2020, the Indian market generated over 90 billion in Indian Rupees.

Whilst all this sounds great, there is one issue that India has been dealing with for years. Even though we are living in 2021, Indian lawmakers still abide by ancient gambling laws, some of which are over 154 years old! So, what does this mean for players and casino operators?

An Insight into India’s Gambling Laws

With reference to the Indian Constitution, it is stated that all forms of gambling are regulated at state level. In other words, this mean that each Indian state has its own laws and legislations when it comes to gambling, particularly when it comes to online casino games. Needless to say, players and operators aren’t happy about this since it’s severely impacting the industry.

This all boils down to one thing. As mentioned in earlier sections of this post, India remains stuck in the past as far as gambling rules are concerned. A prime example of this is the Public Gaming Act of 1867. This 134 legislative document was published during the British role. Evidently, such documents don’t make sense now that most of us have witnessed the advent of the internet and the continuous developments made in the technological field.

But alas, Indian lawmakers beg to differ. Let’s take a look at some statements in the Public Gaming Act of 1867. For starters, the operation of Indian casinos is strictly prohibited. So, is the assisting and visiting of these venues. On top of that, financial gambling, devices and anything remotely related to gambling is also forbidden. In fact, you can face a ₹200 fine or even face up to 3 months in prison.

The Act also defines gambling into two separate categories – Games of Chance and Games of Skill. The problem with this lies here – one cannot completely class a casino game as a Game of Skill or Chance. This is because certain games have hints of both skill and chance.

At the time of writing, India has identified only 13 card games as games of skill, including rummy and poker. As far as online betting goes, horse racing and cricket betting also fall under this category. Without a doubt, lots of reforms are in order if lawmakers want to see the industry really thrive in the years to come.

The Problem with Online Gambling

All this brings us to the main topic of this discussion – online gambling in India. Evidently, there is a dire need for more sensible laws to be imposed. Since lawmakers are still adamant to stick to incredibly archaic laws, this is causing a lot of problems for casino operators who want to set up shop in India.

What’s even more surprising is that all these acts and laws don’t even given an appropriate definition to what online gambling is. As of now, only states like Nagaland, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have chosen to update their anti-gambling policies. On top of that, they have also stated where they stand with online gambling. So far, it’s not good news.

Very recently, the state of Andhra Pradesh published its Gaming Ordinance. Initially, casino operators thought this would benefit them, but once again they couldn’t be more wrong. In other words, if you’re an operator, you can rule out the possibility of having online casinos set up in this state for the time being. On top of that, the ordinance has also issued a ban on all online games including games of skill. Of course, casino operators aren’t very happy about this and rightly so. In fact, they plan on appealing this at the Supreme Court.

That said, there is some good news to report here. As of now, the Supreme Court of Andhra Pradesh has stated that games of skill aren’t really linked to gambling and operators who offer these services are allowed to do us under the Indian Constitution.

Still, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for casino operators who want to offer casino games and services in the country. In fact, operators have had to deal with more acts such as the Information Technology Act of 2000. Given that it’s all about gambling one would think that the government is actually thinking about adequate solutions that would make both parties happy.

But alas, we’re back in square one. This act caused more harm than good as the blocking servers restricted operators from offering their services to Indian players. What’s more, we also have yet another example where no appropriate definition is given to online gambling. Let’s face it, the world is living and breathing gambling at this point. After all the industry is worth billions nowadays – so how can one not explain what online gambling is? The mind boggles.

We understand that lawmakers want to curb the rise of unregulated gambling from dodgy casinos, however, sticking to ancient laws will cause more problems in the long run.

Players Can Still Enjoy the Online Casino World

That said, there is a silver lining. Whilst operators still have to long road ahead of them, players can still enjoy their time online. In fact, you’ll find lots of reputable providers listed on Casinos-india.in. Given that this is an affiliate partner, the games and bonuses are obviously not offered by them. Instead, you are offered trusted offshore casino partners that are legally allowed to offer their services to Indian players.

As you can see, things aren’t so bad for players. That said, there are still some regulations you should keep in mind. Whilst you are required by law to choose an offshore licensed platform, it’s still your safest bet. In this way, you can avoid getting scammed by dodgy providers that still manage to slip through the cracks even though the situation is heavily regulated. Trust us when we say that rogue casinos offer rigged games and you’ll probably never get your winnings. In other words, avoid at all costs.

You can sign up to platforms that clearly state that they are licensed by reputable gaming bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority.

One also has to keep in mind the legal gambling age. In this case, it’s generally 18 and over. However, some online casinos will require to be over 21 years of age. So, make sure you read all the Terms and Conditions carefully when you track down your desired provider. Finally, you can also join an offshore casino if it is Rupee-friendly. You can also avail from alternatives that allow conversions.

The Benefits of Legalizing Online Casinos

At this point, it’s fair to say that Indian gambling laws are all over the place. We can only hope that the situation changes over time. At the end of the day, the market and India in general can benefit from the legalizing and regulation of online casinos.

Whilst we acknowledge that there is a problem with unregulated gambling, the right regulations can mark a significant change in the way things are carried out in the country. Strict laws that don’t make sense will not solve anything; on the contrary, these will cause of more uproars by casino operators and in general more confusion. Simply put, the country needs to stick to one legislation that is able to fully regulate and license games of skill. The laws in place can then be supported by further regulations created by gaming bodies.

Given that Indian players are allowed to sign up to offshore platforms, lawmakers should consider making it official in India. In this way, India will get more recognition, whilst players can get a taste of the best online casino games, bonuses and more. Above everything else, they’ll still be signing up to safe and secure platforms that do things by the book.

Of course, a complete reform is needed when it comes to online gambling. That said, some progress has been made. For example, in states like Maharashtra, casino operators and lawmakers are constantly in talks with regard to how they can legalize and regulate online gambling. At this point, nothing is confirmed, but it’s a start.

In the long run, we really think that India can benefit form a regulated market. In fact, some statistics suggest that the country is losing over $140 million per year due to unregulated gambling. This can be solved if both casino operators and lawmakers can come to an agreement on how to offer a licensed and regulated market.

At the time of writing, the growth behind India’s online gambling market is driven by the middle class and the continuous development of the internet and advanced technologies. With a 50% penetration rate, there are 560 million internet users in the country. Needless to say, this is great considering India is in second place after China.

All we’ll say is don’t understatement the Indian market even though it’s one of the smaller ones. Clearly, it’s making it’s mark on the world and it’s very obvious that casino operators and players are keen. Keep in mind that this is something that wasn’t available in the past. Of course, lifestyles became more comfortable over the years. This also meant that people started expressing an interest in different things – online casino is one of them.

Legalizing online casinos will also offer more jobs. Without a doubt, this would be extremely beneficial to India since the country can compete within this competitive market. This can open more doors to more start-up businesses within the e-Commerce and iGaming sectors. On top of that, the Indian economy will also benefit from all this. Other job opportunities can also crop up if this is done properly. Some of these include employment within software development companies and online payments.

At the end of the day, a regulated market will not only put lawmakers’ minds at rest, but it also creates a safe space for players and operators who just want to do things by the book. This can be achieved if one carries out regular audits of casino operators that have been approved and regulated by the government.

This is the only way that the situation can be monitored and one is able to distinguish a good casino from a bad one.

Without a doubt, the interest in the online gambling world won’t be dying away any time soon. So let’s hope Indian lawmakers can get on board with more adequate regulations that make sense in this day and age.

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How to Choose an iGaming Offer: N1 Partners x RichAds Share Their Expertise

Published

2 hours ago

September 18, 2025

TheVoice

What does it really take to pick the right iGaming offer for promotion? With so many variables to consider, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially for affiliates just starting out.

To help clarify things, N1 Partners and the RichAds ad network joined forces to share practical advice on choosing profitable offers and avoiding common pitfalls.

The conversation took place during the N1 Puzzle Promo — a competition where affiliates, both seasoned and new, experiment with different traffic sources, tools, brands, and GEOs to achieve one main goal: maximize profits from their traffic. And selecting the right offer is the first step toward success.

Meet the Experts

Before diving into the tips, here are the people sharing their insights:

Daria Maichuk

Affiliate Manager at N1 Partners

Veronika Ponomareva

Head of Customer Service at RichAds

What is RichAds?

RichAds is an ad network offering a wide range of traffic sources, including:

Telegram ads
Push notifications
Popunders
Domain redirects
Native ads
Display traffic

Prices start at just $0.005 CPC for push ads and $0.5 CPM for popunders, with access to traffic across 200+ GEOs from Tier 3 to Tier 1.

How to Choose an iGaming Offer: Expert Advice

We asked Daria and Veronika the most important questions affiliates have when evaluating iGaming offers.

1. What parameters of an iGaming offer should be analyzed first before launching?

Daria Maichuk

“Start with the GEO: is gambling legal, how competitive is the market, and how solvent is the audience? Then check the payment model (CPA, RevShare, Hybrid) and the funnel: registration flow, minimum deposit, and site usability. The product matters too — top providers, live casino, sports, esports, localization, and bonuses. Finally, look at retention: how long players stay active and what campaigns keep them engaged.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“First of all, it’s the payout conditions, brand and its reputation on the market, as well as the funnel flow and the content of pre-landing/landing pages to pay attention to. Many things can affect a campaign’s result such as verification before the first deposit, the lack of locally popular payment methods support and the first deposit amount.”

2. How can a beginner determine the potential of an offer? Which metrics should they focus on to avoid wasting budget?

Daria Maichuk

“Key metrics are Conversion Rate (CR), Earnings Per Click (EPC), and Click-Through Rate (CTR). A low CTR usually means the offer doesn’t match the audience or creatives. Test multiple landers — welcome pages and reg forms typically perform best. Also consider First Time Deposits (FTD) and retention, as they reflect the long-term potential of an offer.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Cost per registration, cost per conversion and ROI — are basic yet the most crucial things to look at. Potential means the long-lasting profit, so pay attention to the LTV (Lifetime Value). An offer could have a moderate EPC, but if the player retention is high and brings many secondary deposits, then the LTV would be extremely high accordingly. Ask your manager about the LTV of the offer in the required geo.”

3. How does a brand’s license affect the choice of GEO and traffic?

Daria Maichuk

“White licenses allow affiliates to work in regulated markets and run campaigns on official ad channels like Google Ads, FB, and TikTok. Grey licenses are also usable, but platforms often restrict or ban them, so affiliates need strong moderation skills.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“The licensing topic is highly important due to the fact that it determines the legality of traffic and what sources are acessible. Strict licenses (MGA, UKGC) approve only the cleanest traffic (mostly PPC and SEO). The traffic is very expensive, but provides quality leads. Curacao license gives more freedom as you can work with push-traffic, teasers and popunders. High risks come with no license at all as well as the accessible traffic sources are very limited.”

4. Which three GEOs currently deliver the highest ROI in iGaming, and why?

Daria Maichuk

“Germany: high purchasing power, stable LTV and retention, large deposits, strong conversion.

Canada: fast-growing, high trust in licensed brands, boosting CR and retention.

Australia: players spend more, stay active longer, and convert well into deposits.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Depends on the traffic source we’re looking at, for example, if it’s either push or pop, then Bangladesh, Brazil and South Africa are currently on top.”

5. How can you understand whether an offer fits your main traffic source (FB, PPC, push, etc.) before testing?

Daria Maichuk

“Beginners often test blindly, but it’s possible to know in advance. FB and Google are the most widespread sources. Google traffic is highly engaged because players search for the product themselves. Facebook is harder for retention, but we work actively to improve it, especially for this audience, where push campaigns are essential. Push/Pop works for most offers, though CR is lower. If an offer has working apps (ASO), it can also be promoted through stores.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Facebook and Google Ads are following strict guidelines on accessible content regarding iGaming offers, so it’s a common headache for marketers to test offers there and co-exist with moderation rules. Push and pop traffic doesn’t apply so many demands to the advertising content, so they’re way more preferrable for promotion means. So are Telegram Mini Apps, by the way, since they feature more tolerant moderation by advertising networks and fresh relevant audience.”

6. Top 3 traffic sources for iGaming in 2025?

Daria Maichuk

“Google: high-intent users, precise targeting.

Facebook: huge reach, flexible creative testing.

SEO: long-term stability, independent of traffic costs, especially effective for RevShare.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Telegram Mini Apps: fresh audience, broad opportunities for advertising formats and extremely relevant users who come from casual games and tap-to-earn clickers.

Push-notifications: proven traffic source with high CTR and pre-made user bases that provide easier outreach to converting players.

Popunders: high CR and cost-effective means for promotion, since quality landing pages are usually enough to convert impulsive gamblers.”

7. Do your affiliates drive traffic through Telegram and what are the specifics? What do you think about mini-app traffic?

Daria Maichuk

“Yes, we’ve seen such cases, but most affiliates still prefer other sources. Data is still limited, but we’re closely monitoring Telegram and mini-app traffic and see strong potential here.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“For us it’s a channel that we actively explore, since introducing Telegram Mini App ads showed us how much of a potential they hold straight away. First of all, TMAs themselves offer a global coverage and outreach to a variety of potential leads for the iGaming products, coming from all over games and applications. In fact, since the moderation policies there are independent from the official Telegram Ads platform, that gives additional interest to this traffic.”

8. How many FTDs are needed to objectively evaluate an iGaming offer?

Daria Maichuk

“PPC: 20–30 FTD.

Facebook (slots): 20–30 FTD.

Facebook (crash games): at least 100 FTD.

In-app: around 100 FTD.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“At least 30 FtD, but to evaluate the offer properly it’s best to look into the player activity in the long run, the average amount of the deposits and other in-depth metrics.”

9. Which KPIs do you recommend for testing: ROI, FTD, deposit, or retention?

Daria Maichuk

“We often use soft KPIs. On average, we expect the avg dep count to be >=2. Sometimes we also track the ratio of total deposits to partner payout.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“It’s a complex matter as hitting the KPIs is usually the result of a combination of factors getting along.”

10. What should affiliates do if an offer “drops” after two weeks — switch or optimize?

Daria Maichuk

“If results were good initially, optimize creatives and targeting. If not, check whether the creatives included slots actually available in the product. Our managers always provide updated slot and targeting recommendations.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Optimize the campaign, examine the metrics, check the creatives, change landing pages – try to find the correlation to this in the traffic performance.”

11. Which statistical indicators show that an offer can be scaled?

Daria Maichuk

“The main sign is stable positive ROI over several days or weeks. Also look at the funnel (click → registration → deposit) and player retention.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“Simply, a more or less stable ROI is the main indicator here.”

12. How to scale an offer within one source without lowering CR?

Daria Maichuk

“Increase budgets gradually — 10–20% every 1–2 days. Scale your best-performing bundles first. Always refresh creatives: without new content, audiences burn out and CR declines.”

Veronika Ponomareva

“The same level scaling is the key. If by creatives, then create new combinations of creatives and landing pages. If by the audience — gradually add more newcomer oriented targetings, instead of increasing the bids on the current ones. Just test everything by degrees.”

Conclusion

The N1 Puzzle Promo highlighted not only the competitive spirit among affiliates but also the importance of knowing how to pick the right iGaming offers. From choosing GEOs and traffic sources to tracking KPIs and scaling campaigns, the advice from N1 Partners and RichAds gives affiliates a clear roadmap to better results.

RichAds continues to support the iGaming community with its self-serve platform, offering access to 220+ GEOs and multiple traffic types from push and popunders to Telegram Mini Apps and native ads.

Launch smarter campaigns, work with the right offers, and grow your iGaming profits!

Affiliate Announcements

KVA launches new website: stronger quality mark and clear recognition for consumers

Published

5 hours ago

September 18, 2025

George Miller

KVA launches new website: stronger quality mark and clear recognition for consumers

The Responsible Affiliates Quality Mark (KVA) has launched its updated website. The modernization is the result of months of preparation and stems from the first meeting of the Alliance for Combating Illegal Online Gambling in May 2025. During this meeting, participants, including the KVA, emphasized the importance of enabling consumers to more quickly and accurately identify which players in the online gambling market are reliable and legal.

The foundation of the KVA: Thorough inspection and legal security

The KVA was founded in 2021, shortly before the opening of the legal online gambling sector in the Netherlands. At the same time, the KVA Code was developed, which all affiliated members must comply with. Compliance with this code has a legal basis: it is contractually established between the KVA and its members.

The KVA Code is based on current legislation and regulations in the Netherlands and is amended as needed. The code consists of six fixed components:

Contributing to channelisation and combating illegal supply.
Responsible use of marketing channels.
Careful and balanced design of expressions.
Preventing deception.
Tailoring advertising to addiction prevention.
Compliance with the Decree on Non-Targeted Remote Gambling Advertising.

All members are fully assessed annually. They receive a comprehensive advisory report, supplemented with random samples and audits based on signals. Compliance assessments are conducted by KVA Compliance Officers, who operate independently within the organization under contract. This guarantees a legally anchored and reproducible assessment structure.

The foundation of the KVA remains unchanged. However, the updated website provides a clearer and more accessible overview of what the KVA Code entails.

Increase recognition

Previously, consumers weren’t always clear about the KVA quality mark when they encountered it on an affiliate website. With the updated website, the KVA aims to improve this by making the quality mark’s function more transparent. Individual certificates for each affiliated website immediately show how it was assessed, how often inspections are performed, and when the last assessment was conducted. We also specifically explain which KVA Compliance Officer assessed the website, for transparency reasons. The certificates increase consumer recognition.

The new website contains several extensions and improvements:

KVA certificates per website : Each affiliated member has its own page with a certificate, which shows how the assessment was made, whether the organization behind the website has been verified, and who performed the last audit. All the different certificates can be found on the member page: https://kva.nl/leden/ . Many of our members have now set up links from the quality mark to their own certificates.
KVA Team: Clear information is now available about the team behind the KVA: https://kva.nl/het-team-van-kva/
Transparency statement: a page explaining the organizational structure behind the KVA: https://kva.nl/transparantieverklaring/
Advisory Board : The role of external advisors has been given a more prominent role. The KVA is supported by Yvon Jansma (Center for Responsible Gambling), Peter-Paul de Goeij (online gambling specialist), Eric Konings (VNLOK), Anne-Jaap Snijders (Book of Sports expert), and Björn Fuchs (VNLOK chairman). Advisory Board page: https://kva.nl/de-raad-van-advies/
Responsible Gambling page : comprehensive information for consumers about signs of problematic gambling behavior, tips for responsible gambling, and referrals to support agencies: https://kva.nl/verantwoord-gokken/
Publications section : an overview of studies, reports, and warnings issued by the KVA. This regularly highlights the risks of illegal online casinos, misleading affiliates, and new marketing tactics: https://kva.nl/publicaties/

Informing and protecting consumers

With its updated website, the KVA is positioning itself more emphatically as a consumer information hub. It regularly issues warnings about the risks of illegal gambling through social media and accessible articles. In doing so, the quality mark aims to contribute to the channeling objective: encouraging participation with legal providers and combating illegal offerings.

Steven Vrolijk, representative of the KVA: “With the updated website, we’re taking the next step in professionalization. The quality mark will be more recognizable for consumers, while members can continue to rely on a robust and legally sound assessment procedure. Through our role within the Alliance, the constructive contact with the regulator, and the input of experienced market experts, we want to continue contributing, together with our members, to channeling legal supply and tackling the illegal sector. Naturally, we thank all members and affiliated partners for supporting our initiative.”

News

N1 Partners is giving away a trip to a surf camp at SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2025

TheVoice

Surf On the Waves to Success: N1 Partners at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025

From September 16 to 18, the N1 Partners team will take part in SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon — one of the largest events in the iGaming industry. Thousands of professionals from around the world will gather at Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena to discuss trends, exchange insights, and build new partnerships. N1 Partners is known for preparing something special for every event, and this time the team will bring a vibrant surf-inspired atmosphere to booth F84.

Surfing the Wave of Opportunities with N1 Partners

At every conference, meeting the N1 Partners team is a chance for affiliates to advance in the N1 Puzzle Promo and get closer to the grand prize of the year — the Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter. In Lisbon, this journey takes on a fresh theme — surfing, as a symbol of freedom, energy, and moving forward.

At the N1 Partners booth, the team will recreate the vibe of a real surf camp, giving partners the chance to discuss business opportunities and take part in activities designed to help them “catch the wave” of success.

What Visitors Will Find at Booth F84

Surf Bar serving signature bubble teas and retro-surf–style cocktails
Surf Balance Board Challenge: test your balance, claim guaranteed prizes, and get the chance to win an all-inclusive surf trip
Meeting zones designed for productive negotiations and top-tier deals in a comfortable setting

A Dream Trip for the Winner

N1 Partners will raffle off a certificate for an all-inclusive surf camp trip, which includes flights, villa accommodation, training with a professional coach, and a branded surfboard delivered directly to the winner.

How to participate:

Visit booth F84
Register for the giveaway
Be present at the raffle (stay tuned for the exact time on N1 Partners’ social media)

Full terms and conditions will be available at the booth.

See You in Lisbon

SBC Summit Lisbon is the perfect opportunity to meet the N1 Partners team, explore new projects, learn about the latest brand launches, and discuss exclusive partnership opportunities. At booth F84, visitors will find live business conversations, branded merch, and additional puzzles to bring them closer to the grand prize of the N1 Puzzle Promo.

Why N1 Partners

Working directly with an advertiser, partners of N1 Partners benefit from:

14+ licensed casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
top deals across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €650, RevShare up to 45% + NNCO, and hybrid models

At booth F84, the N1 Partners team will be focused on real business. Whether you run SEO, PPC, FB, or other traffic sources, you’ll discover how to turn them into even greater profit with N1 Partners’ offers.

Don’t wait: book your meetings with N1 Partners’ affiliate managers now and make your SBC Lisbon experience as productive as possible.