West Bengal Gambling Laws

West Bengal has a less stringent gambling law. In fact, it has a liberal view on gambling. There are various legal options available for gambling. Those residing in West Bengal can enjoy various gambling forms such as horse racing, lottery, and classic card games. It also has a loose take on online gambling. It has a dedicated gambling act, but it does not mention anything about online gambling.

How to gamble from West Bengal

If you are an online gambler, you won’t have any problems gambling from West Bengal. The state has not mentioned any online gambling restrictions. It simply means that online casino players can enjoy online casino games in the comfort of their homes using the device of their choice. The gambling law in India has no authority or jurisdiction in online casinos that are not located within its territory. These online casinos provide games to Indian players. Should you wish to play in these casinos, you have to sign up for an account and make payments.

Legal Casinos in West Bengal

Gambling in West Bengal – Is it legal?

The answer is vague. It could be both yes and no. Many casino games are based on luck or chance. In some states in India, it is not allowed to run, gamble, or even visit gaming houses. However, you can also find licensed operators that offer card games legally. West Bengal Gambling Laws have no jurisdiction in online casinos located outside India. For the record, there has been no Bengali player prosecuted for playing at online casinos.

West Bengal Gambling Laws

West Bengal Gambling Laws are straightforward. In 1957, the first gambling law of West Bengal was created; the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition Act, 1957. It is an old law, over 60 years old, to be exact. It specifies only physical gaming houses and does not mention any offshore gambling, such as in the case of online casinos. However, the Information Technology Act of 2000 made mention abut online gambling. It states that it does not prohibit players from participating in online casinos. Certain card games are tagged as skill-based in West Bengal.

West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition Act, 1957

It is an old law that takes effect until now. It centers on gaming houses and gambling activities that take place in an organized way in a specific location. Make no mistake with this law as you could be imprisoned for three years and fined Rs. 2,000 for organizing gambling activities. If you get caught participating in gambling activities, you could be imprisoned for at least three months and a fine of up to Rs. 500. However, there is an exception to the rule. West Bengal Gambling Laws, specifically The West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition Act, 1957, put some casino games in the legal category. It includes horse racing, lottery, poker, and rummy.

Casino in Kolkata

In Kolkata, the most popular gambling events are horse racing and rummy. Rummy, in particular, has a significant online presence. On the other hand, it restricts horse racing to land-based betting. Online casino sites offer a wide array of table games such as blackjack, roulette, and classic Indian games like Teen Patti and Andar Bahar.

Casino in Asansol

You can’t find an offline casino in Asansol. However, it didn’t stop players from engaging in different gambling types. Those residing in Asansol who want to bet on horse racing events need to travel to Kolkata to do so. Should they wish to play other casino games like poker and rummy, they can do so through online casinos. West Bengali casino gamblers can enjoy different types of online casino games and live casino events using the device of their choice, such as a computer, iPad, tablet, and mobile phone.

Lottery in West Bengal

The lottery is legal in West Bengal. In fact, there is a state-run lottery under the management of The Directorate of State Lotteries. However, the lottery must meet The Lotteries Regulation Act of 1998. It also needs to comply with the requirements stipulated in the West Bengal State Lottery Rules of 1968. There are six number draws every year, parallel to festival events. During Lottery Sambad (Dhankesari), seven lottery draws are performed every week. For international lotteries, West Bengali can participate via casino sites offering lottery draws.

Sports Betting in West Bengal

Any sports apart from horse racing are illegal to bet on in West Bengal and other parts of India. However, there are many Bengali betting on cricket primarily because of the location advantage. To avoid breaking any laws, it would be practical to bet on sports offered by online casinos.

Horse Racing in West Bengal

In West Bengal, horse racing is a major event organized by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Off-course betting centers are not allowed. Should you want to place your bet on horse racing, you can do so via Kolkata Race Course. On July 8, 2020, online betting on the Royal Calcutta Turf Club’s races was approved by the West Bengal Finance Department’s government. The bets are made possible through computers on the RCTC racecourse.

Status on card games like poker, rummy, and flush

Card games classified as games of skills as per the Public Gaming Act of 1867 include poker, rummy, flush, and bridge. It simply means that the above-mentioned card games are legal in West Bengal. To offer these card games, organizers need to secure the necessary licenses to operate. RummyCircle and Adda52 are now offering online versions of rummy. Gambling with online casinos gives you a tremendous advantage as you will have a wide selection of card games, including poker, bridge, and flush. Many online casinos have poker tables and VIP poker rooms.

Summary

Gambling in West Bengal does not have hard rules. The laws are not as stringent as other states. It has a liberal take on gambling, but make no mistake as it does not have a complete gambling regulation. Some local games are restricted. To stay on the safe side, play only at online casinos. They offer safe and secure gameplay. Not to mention, they have a wide array of casino games, making you feel like you are in a physical casino.