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

Published

5 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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N1 Traffic Cups: The Year of Traffic Tournaments Starts soon

Published

2 days ago

February 18, 2026

Master Editor

N1 Partners is launching a series of traffic tournaments N1 Traffic Cups – with the first one kicking off this March. Throughout 2026, partners can expect a variety of promo activities: from standalone cups to a global championship.

This marks a logical continuation of N1 Partners’ community-focused initiatives. Recently, the team summed up the results of N1 Puzzle Promo – a top-tier promotion in the iGaming industry that ran for almost the entire year of 2025. After gathering participant feedback, consolidating the best practices from the successful campaign, and enhancing it with new engaging mechanics and a fresh perspective, N1 Partners developed a brand-new concept. The traffic tournament series will provide additional opportunities for teams working with traffic and focused on consistent performance growth and scaling results.

SEO teams, get ready – the first stage will be the N1 SEO Traffic Cup, opening the new season and setting the tone for the entire 2026 tournament series. A dedicated leaderboard with a tiered level system based on performance, a new competitive format, and a focus not only on scale but also on real traffic efficiency – this spring promises to be truly competitive.

Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners, comments on the upcoming launch:

“There are plenty of races and battles in the industry, but it was important for us to create a format that stands out in both spirit and approach. We’re not just preparing another competition – we’re building a story with character, centered around strategy, structure, and true competitive drive.
2026 is a year of major sporting events: the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The spirit of competition and top-level achievement perfectly aligns with the DNA of N1 Partners: energy, high performance, and healthy competitive ambition are what motivate and push both us and our partners forward.”

We’ll reveal all the details very soon…
Stay tuned to N1 Partners’ social media channels and follow the latest updates in iGaming media.

To learn more about the tournament launch, contact N1 Partners Leadgen Manager, Kristina:
Email: [email protected]
Telegram: https://t.me/Christina_N1L
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-ladik-6a7068206/

Why N1 Partners?

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners + hybrid models

Be number one with N1!

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N1 Partners’ Sky Dining Event for Top Partners at SiGMA Eurasia

Published

1 week ago

February 12, 2026

Master Editor

AIBC Eurasia in Dubai, which once again brought together top companies from the iGaming industry, became the first major event for N1 Partners after the grand show event in Barcelona celebrating the end of the N1 Puzzle Promo. So the conference in Dubai was a great opportunity to discuss plans for 2026 and set traffic priorities together with the N1 team.

Of course, N1 Partners couldn’t leave their top partners without a surprise. That’s why the affiliate program organized an exciting gastronomic experience in Dubai – Dinner in the Sky – for the Seven Group media buying team!

Here’s how it went 👇🏼

Listed by Forbes among the world’s 10 most unusual restaurants, Dinner in the Sky offers one of the most unique gastronomic experiences on the planet – a dinner 50 meters high with panoramic views of Dubai. It was exactly this experience that the N1 Partners affiliate team chose to invite their partners from the Seven Group media buying team.

“For us, events like these are more than just gatherings – they’re an opportunity to build truly genuine partnerships, grow closer, and better understand our partners. Dinner in the Sky was the perfect format to discuss plans, exchange ideas, and simply share vivid emotions with our top partners in a relaxed, informal setting. Moments like these lay the foundation for strong, long-term collaborations,” comments Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners.

Dinner highlights:

top partner team
90 minutes
50 meters above the ground

“We’d like to thank N1 Partners for the invitation to a business dinner where we were able to connect and spend time in a truly pleasant atmosphere. For us, this is a great sign. First, it shows that our traffic is highly valued by N1 Partners. Second, it proves that our partner is committed to developing business relationships through trust and personal interaction.

Many thanks to the N1 Partners team for the warm welcome and attention to detail. We were absolutely delighted and took away so many positive emotions that we’ll be bringing back with us from Dubai!” — shared the Seven Group team.

Getting invited to an exclusive Sky Dining event by N1 Partners is the result of consistent and effective collaboration with the affiliate program. Strong performance deserves a premium approach and special attention to top partners. At N1, partnerships are built on trust, transparent terms, and fast communication – enabling not only traffic scaling, but also going beyond standard cooperation to create truly unique experiences.

“We’ve been working with N1 Partners for almost a year, with the main traffic coming from Google PPC, and during this time we’ve managed to reach solid volumes. Integration is fast, data exchange is stable, and the team is always available – without unnecessary bureaucracy and with full involvement in the processes. In such a dynamic line of work, this is especially important.

We were happy to meet the N1 team offline in Dubai in this format and receive a gift that only подтверждает that our partnership is getting stronger,” shared the Seven Group team.

Catch N1 Partners at the upcoming iGaming conferences worldwide:

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners + hybrid models

See you soon!

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Top Sports Events & Promos by N1 Partners: Where to Drive Tier-1 Traffic in February

Published

1 week ago

February 11, 2026

Master Editor

N1 Partners expands its sports traffic capabilities. Betting is now available across three brands within the affiliate program’s portfolio: alongside the flagship sports product N1 Bet, RollXO and Lucky Hunter have joined the lineup.

For partners, this opens up new opportunities to work with Tier-1 sports traffic. You can scale volumes on a dedicated betting product while simultaneously running sports traffic on casino brands with already strong conversion rates. This approach allows affiliates to diversify traffic flows, reduce reliance on a single product, and strengthen key performance metrics by combining sports, casino, and seasonal promotional mechanics.

Why Seasonal Events Matter When Driving Traffic

In practice, the most consistent conversion results are achieved when traffic launches are aligned with seasonality, key news hooks, and behavioral peaks in player activity.

February offers a particularly strong combination of factors:

a packed schedule of top football leagues and tournaments
the Winter Olympic Games
seasonal holidays, including Valentine’s Day
increased emotional engagement from players

During such periods, users are more likely to make deposit decisions, engage with promotions, and return to the product. Timing and the right contextual hook have a direct impact on overall performance.

To simplify campaign planning and help partners make the most of this period, the N1 Partners team has prepared a selection of key sports events and active promotions that are well suited for driving sports traffic.

Key Sports Events in February

11.02.2026

Soccer | Italy, Coppa Italia | Quarter-final | Bologna – Lazio

Ice Hockey | Olympic Games | Slovakia vs Finland

Soccer | England, Premier League | Manchester City – Fulham

Soccer | Germany, DFB Pokal | Quarter-final | Bayern Munich – RB Leipzig

Basketball | NBA | Houston Rockets – LA Clippers

Soccer | CONMEBOL, Copa Libertadores, Qualification, Quarter-finals | 2-nd legs

12.02.2026

Ice Hockey | Olympic Games | Czech Republic vs Canada

Soccer | England, Premier League | Brentford – Arsenal

Basketball | NBA | Orlando Magic – Milwaukee Bucks

Basketball | EuroLeague, Regular Season | Round 28

Rugby League | Super League (England, France) | Regular Season

13.02.2026

Ice Hockey | Olympic Games | Canada vs Switzerland

Basketball | NBA | Oklahoma City Thunder – Milwaukee Bucks

Handball | Germany, Bundesliga | Next Round

14.02.2026

Ice Hockey | Olympic Games | USA vs Denmark

Soccer | England, FA Cup | 1/16-finals

Soccer | Germany, Bundesliga | Werder Bremen – Bayern Munich

Rugby Union | France, Top 14 | Round 17

Handball | Spain, Liga ASOBAL | Next Round

Basketball | Spain, Liga ACB | Round 20

15.02.2026

Ice Hockey | Olympic Games | Switzerland vs Czech Republic

Soccer | Italy, Serie A | Inter – Juventus

Soccer | Italy, Serie A | Napoli – AS Roma

Soccer | Italy, Serie A | Lazio – Atalanta

Soccer | Spain, LaLiga | Girona – Barcelona

Soccer | Spain, LaLiga | Real Madrid – Real Sociedad

Soccer | France, Ligue 1 | Marseille – Strasbourg

Soccer | France, Ligue 1 | Rennes – PSG

Basketball | NBA | ALL-Star

Tennis | WTA 1000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Active Promotions Across N1 Partners Brands

To boost player activity and support conversion rates during peak dates, N1 Partners is launching seasonal Valentine’s Day promotions across key brands. These campaigns provide partners with additional leverage when driving traffic and engaging users.

Valentine’s Advent Calendar (N1 Bet, RollXO)

Period: 13.02–17.02

Daily rewards available for participants over five days:

13.02 Love Box: prize up to €15,000
14.02 Valentine’s Riddle Offer: 100% bonus up to €500 + 150 FS
15.02 Sunday Challenge: 50% bonus on the 3rd deposit
16.02 Road to Free Spins: 30 FS for every €350
17.02 Fortune Lottery Series: prize pool €63,000

Cupid Mailbox Lottery (Lucky Hunter)

Period: 09.02–14.02

Prize pool for 28 winners: trip to Paris + €6,400 + 1,400 FS

Why This Matters for Partners

Seasonal promotions and event-driven campaigns help partners address several key challenges when working with Tier-1 traffic:

encourage higher average deposits
increase LTV through repeat engagement
sustain activity during periods when CR typically declines
integrate smoothly into creative bundles and ad formats
strengthen the emotional appeal of offers through holidays and major events

In a highly competitive environment, these product-driven initiatives help partners maintain stable and predictable performance.

What Partners Should Do Now

February combines major sports events, seasonal triggers, and strong promotional mechanics into a single high-potential window.

Drive traffic to key sports events and Valentine’s Day promotions across N1 Partners brands: N1 Bet, RollXO, and Lucky Hunter.

The N1 Partners team is ready to provide up-to-date promotions, analytics, and dedicated support tailored to your traffic volumes.

Join N1 Partners

N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization recommendations, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.

N1 Partners is more than an affiliate program. As a multi-brand affiliate platform and direct advertiser, the company unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is recognized for its transparency, flexibility, and partner-first approach — where people and communication quality remain the foundation of long-term success.