West Bengal Gambling Laws
Gambling is a popular and rich source of entertainment for the people in West Bengal. Sports betting is the main area of Interest among most of bengali players. Fortunately, West Bengal has a liberal perspective about gambling, unlike other Indian states. So you’ll get to play several legal games that involve horse racing, lottery, and many casino card games.
One more good news for players in West Bengal that online gambling whether local or foreign casino sites is completely legal, as online games are not mentioned anywhere in their gambling laws. So Enjoy!
Legal Casinos For Players In West Bangal
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How to gamble from West Bengal?
In general, West Bengal doesn’t follow a strict approach to gambling. You’ve plenty of options to play in gaming houses and it is, even easier if you’re playing online.
We suggest one must take the biggest advantage of this tech-era i.e. to play online. you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home as many online casinos are there that’ll enrich you with the real world like casino experience.
Another advantage is you can play unlimited casino games, participate in jackpots, lotteries, and sports betting on your smartphones 24X7. Isn’t that great?
Gambling laws in India don’t have the control to impose a ban on foreign casino sites that means you can avail of their service any time. Many casino sites are purely dedicated to Indian punters such as 10CRIC and Pure Casino.
Is Gambling Legal In West Bengal?
There is no straight answer to this question as gambling’s status lies somewhere in the mid. So it’s partly legal. All the casino games or games of chance are banned but you’ll still find some casino card games running at licensed gaming houses. Certain card games like rummy, poker, etc. are considered as the game of skills as per the gambling laws of West Bengal.
And as we already said, online gambling is excluded from the West Bengal gaming act. So, that’s completely legal. No player by now has faced any kind of legal litigation for playing on foreign sites.
Gambling Laws in West Bengal
Gambling in West Bengal is part of their tradition. So they follow a modern approach towards gambling. Gambling is performed under West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition Act, 1957. As you can see the act is already aged i.e. over 60 years and online games, offshore casinos are not mentioned anywhere in this act. That becomes an advantage for gamblers in the state.
Online casinos come under surveillance of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which does not restrict players from playing at foreign sites. Players are liberal to play at any foreign website of their choice.
West Bengal is also one of the rather few states that acknowledge certain card games to be skill-based.
West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition Act, 1957
This act clearly differentiates between legal and unregulated casino games. And, if someone found playing illegal games in public places, hotels, or events, he/she is subject to pay the maximum fine of INR 2000/- along with 3-year imprisonment. Let’s read out what this act has to say!
- Police have the power to enter and search for illegal gaming activities.
- Horse racing or pony racing is an offense without a license.
- Rummy, Poker, lottery are all legal games.
- Penalty for owning/Keeping/ operating any gaming house.
- Penalty for playing and visiting the gaming house.
- Penalty for using false information.
- The use of animals and birds for gaming and street fights is strictly prohibited.
- All the prize competitions are prohibited, where prize money exceeds one thousand rupees a month.
Casinos in Kolkata
Players in Kolkata love to place a bet on sports games like football and cricket, that’s not legal. Still, players are gambling somehow. Other legal and popular games in Kolkata are Rummy, Poker, and horse racing. Kolkata has its own horse racing club where many such events are organized throughout the year.
Offshore casinos are always there to serve you! Many foreign casinos offer Indian classic games like Teen Patti, Andar Bahar, Blackjack, Roulette, and far more to explore.
Casinos in Asansol
There is hardly any land-based casino in Asansol. So, gambling players from Asansol have to travel to Kolkata to experience the brick mortar casinos. Bengali players can enjoy rummy, poker, pony racing in the physical casinos. but, if you want a wide array of casino games; we suggest to try online casino games.
Plus point is you don’t have to travel a long distance and find physical casinos that too with limited game options. You can access the casinos at any time and any place from your mobiles, desktops, or tablets.
Lottery in West Bengal
All the lottery games in West Bengal are regulated under The Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998, and the West Bengal State Lottery Rules, 1968. West Bengal has its own lottery system that runs throughout the state by the Directorate of State Lotteries.
A total of six lucky draws are conducted each year corresponding to festivals and occasions. There is another seven weekly lottery draws part of the sambad lottery or Dhankesari. Only localities are allowed to purchase these lottery tickets.
If you want to participate in international lotteries and jackpots, you can visit our recommended lottery casino sites. We assure you will be delighted with the gaming experience.
Sports Betting in West Bengal
Although Sports betting is illegal in west Bengal but betting on cricket and football is the favorite task of Bengali players. The reason, the winning opportunities associated with such sports. All you need is the skills and, you can carry away a huge pot of money.
Eden Gardens is situated in Kolkata. So players somehow find a way out to place bets on such events through offline bookies or other sources. But, we advise you to be careful and influenced by mouth-watering offers easily else you’ll regret later losing your hard-earned money
Rather betting online is the safest option. Online sports betting is legal, you can visit Betway, the king of online casinos!
Horse Racing in West Bengal
Horse racing is one of the major tournaments of West Bengal organized at Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC). Recently this year, the Finance Department of West Bengal approved online betting in the Royal Calcutta Turf Club’s races on 8th of July 2020
People are allowed to place legal bets through the Kolkata Racecourse as no tote points are permitted. Horse or pony racing bets can also be placed through online modes only using computer systems available at RCTC.
Are Card Games legal to play in West Bengal?
Not all the card games are allowed but yes few of them such as rummy, poker, flush, and bridge, are permitted to play in west Bengal. These games are considered as Games of Skill as per clause 12 of the Public Gaming Act, 1867. So yes, these games are legal. Many international gaming solution companies offer exclusive casino games. You can try Evolution gaming and Netent for the best gaming experience.
Gambling online gives you even more options like RNG table games, Bollywood slots games, Roulette Wheel, Blackjack table, and what not?
Another available option by Indian game developer is Rummy circle and Adda52. you can download these games from your App Store or Play store
Conclusion
West Bengal is among the highest states in India considered as a major source of income by Indian as well as the Online gambling Industry. As the state is not that strict and rigid about gambling laws plus many casino games options are available that are legal to play. The state follows a liberal approach for gambling, that’s the reason many land casinos or so-called gaming houses are running their business smoothly.
But, we suggest try playing online casino games that make sure to conduct unbiased gameplays and secure, trusted Payment methods like E-Wallets (Google Pay, Paytm, Paypal, etc.) Always keep in mind to play responsibly and make safety your priority!
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