West Bengal Online Gambling Laws 2023
When it comes to gambling in West Bengal, the only option people have is to join an online casino platform and enjoy any game they want. Because West Bengal does not have modern state laws related to gambling, they follow the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957, meaning there are no provisions allowing or forbidding online gambling. Please read on as I expand on this issue and share important aspects that can help you gamble online from West Bengal.
Best Legal Online Casinos in West Bengal
Is It Legal to Gamble in West Bengal?
Land-based gambling is entirely illegal in West Bengal. Still, all other activities are in the grey zone, as the particular law does not have any provisions related to online gambling. Thus, any West Bengal resident can freely join an online casino platform and play games of skill and games of chance without the fear of breaking any laws.
Gambling Laws in West Bengal
Before 1957, West Bengal was governed by the Public Gaming Act 1867, which has severely outdated rules regarding gambling. So, the state brought a new law in 1957, the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957.
Per this law, every form of playing games of chance in the state is prohibited, games of skill are exempt, and people can place horse race bets only with licensed bookmakers. This law also forbids anyone from offering a promotion or anything related to prize competitions where the prizes exceed ₹1,000 a month.
However, the law does not mention anything about access to online casinos and online sportsbooks, allowing West Bengal people to take advantage, go online and join an online casino and/or a sports betting platform, such as 10Cric, 1xBet, or 22Bet.
Legal Online Casino Games to Play in West Bengal
Since the West Bengal law explicitly forbids playing games of chance in land-based casinos, people from this small Indian state are forced to look online for a varied game selection. Here are the top online casino games West Bengal residents can find at some of the best online casinos:
- Andar Bahar – one of India’s trendiest online casino games, Andar Bahar, is now a regular at top online casinos that accept players from India. I urge you to try Andar Bahar online at Betway.
- Teen Patti – it is now common for many online casinos to carry Teen Patti, as this has become a favorite game for all Asian players, not only for Indians. I propose you check out the online Teen Patti offer at 10Cric.
- Roulette – a game of pure chance, online roulette is an exciting and fast-paced game that is a great starting option for novice casino players. You can find roulette varieties at top online casinos in West Bengal, like 1xBet.
- Baccarat – this is a game of chance that is fun to play because online baccarat has simple gameplay and straightforward bets. You can find plenty of online baccarat options at Jackpot City.
- Blackjack – combining skill and luck, blackjack is a fun game to try, but you can’t play it in a land-based establishment in West Bengal. Thus, it would be best if you went online to play blackjack, and I suggest you try the 22Bet online blackjack offer.
- Slots – the ultimate game of skill; online slots are found at all online casinos, and I recommend you try the offer at 888Casino.
Live Casino in West Bengal
Besides the RNG-based casino games, people from West Bengal can play many live casino games online. The state forbids playing games of chance, but games of skill are allowed but are rarely found in land-based entities.
So, again, people from West Bengal are forced to go online and play live casino games. The good news is that all the reputable online casinos I’ve tested and suggested for you, like Betway, Jackpot City, or Spin Casino, have an excellent collection of live casino games. We are talking about live Andar Bahar, live Teen Patti, live blackjack, live poker, live roulette, live game show games, and more.
Sports Betting in West Bengal
Officially, sports betting is illegal in West Bengal, except for horse race betting. But the state has an illegal trendy underground cricket betting ring, and anyone caught placing bets here risks facing legal action.
But because the local law does not mention access to international sports betting platforms, any West Bengal resident can freely join an online sportsbook and place a bet on cricket, tennis, kabaddi, football, or any other sport or event they find appealing.
Lottery in West Bengal
West Bengal has a land-based lottery, a part of the Lottery Sambad and the Dear Government lottery, and there are three daily draws seven days a week. The state-run lottery is governed by the West Bengal State Lottery Rules 1968 and The Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998.
However, no law in West Bengal prevents people from going online and joining international online lotteries like LottoLand, or Lotto Agent and getting the chance to play some of the most famous lotteries in the world.
FAQs
Can I legally gamble in West Bengal?
You can legally play games of skill in West Bengal, but not games of chance. On the other hand, you can join an international online casino not legally tied to India and play any casino game you want.
What games can I play at an online casino in West Bengal?
You can play games of chance and games of skill at your chosen online casino from West Bengal, for example, roulette, Andar Bahar, Teen Patti, Jhandi Munda, blackjack, slots, game show games, poker, baccarat, and more,
What is the best casino in West Bengal?
Here is a list of the top online casinos I consider the best in West Bengal, as each of these has all the traits that ensure you get a superior online casino experience: 1xBet, 20Bet, 10Cric, Betway, 22Bet, 888Casino, Spin Casino and Jackpot City.
Can I place sports bets in West Bengal?
You can place bets on horse races legally, but for all other sports, you must go online, join a reputable online sports betting platform and place sports bets. I suggest you try Betway, 1xBet, 22Bet, and 20Bet, as I’ve found these have excellent features for Indian bettors.
Do I risk legal action for playing at online casinos in West Bengal?
The West Bengal police have no jurisdiction over foreign online casinos or sports betting sites, so they can’t take legal action against you.
What are the most popular sports to bet on in West Bengal?
The most popular sports for West Bengal residents are horse races, cricket, kabaddi, and tennis.
How can I transfer money online while gambling in West Bengal?
You should be careful not to break FEMA, the law stating you must only make INR deposits at online platforms, so you should look for the ones that accept Indian Rupees and use your favorite digital payment methods like UPI, PhonePe, Paytm, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, or MasterCard.
