Jammu and Kashmir union is the disputed territory claimed by India, China, and Pakistan since World War 2. The union territory follows Indian gambling laws and an outdated one at that. Just like many other Indian states, Jammu and Kashmir union has strict gambling laws passed in the 19th century. These laws don’t mention online gambling, however, allowing the players to use online casinos based abroad.

We’ve compiled a list of online casinos operating in Jammu and Kashmir for you to browse and choose from. Make sure to investigate the casinos and especially the size of the bets you can make and what kind of bonuses you’re entitled to.

List of the Best Casino Sites in Jammu and Kashmir

Is Online Gambling Legal in Jammu and Kashmir?

Online gambling isn’t regulated in Jammu and Kashmir. Gambling in on-the-ground casinos hasn’t been allowed since 1876. However, this creates a loophole allowing the players to gamble online if the casinos they are using are based outside the state. Jammu and Kashmir union is liberal in this regard and it turns a blind eye to the practice.

The funds won by playing in these casinos are still taxed when they are deposited in India. The rate is set at 30 per cent and there’s a threshold set at 10.000 rupees. It doesn’t matter which payment method you’re using, the state will be aware if you transfer the funds from a casino based abroad.

Brief History of Online Gambling in Jammu and Kashmir

Online gambling became popular in the 1990s, when PCs and the internet created a platform for casinos to go online. It soon came to India as well since gambling is deeply rooted in the local culture and the population is tech-savvy with plenty of disposable income.

Over the years online gambling improved as the tech needed for it did. Over the years apps replaced mobile browsers, and after a while, live events became popular since it mimics visited a casino from the comfort of your home. Online casinos also accepted new payment methods as soon as they came out.

Current Gambling Laws in Jammu and Kashmir

The only gambling law governing the practice in Jammu and Kashmir was written in 1876. It’s governed by the Public Gambling Act introduced that year and it prohibits gambling altogether. There have been other laws introduced later that allowed a state lottery, as many other states do.

The Public Gambling Act also prohibits sports betting even though it’s widely done in Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of the ban. The law doesn’t mention online gambling in India since it was invented yet and no new laws were introduced to deal with the issue of allowing players to gamble online.

Jammu and Kashmir Online Casinos Games

Casinos that offer their services to Jammu and Kashmir players provide a variety of different game and tournament options. Indian players enjoy both local and western games and both can be played in online casinos. Games of luck and skill are equally popular.

Slots are the most popular game in any casino, but card and table games attract a different type of player – the one looking for ways to beat the casino based on their merit. Sports betting and lottery are also available. All of the games can be played for tokens or real money if you’re up for it.

Jammu and Kashmir have outdated gambling laws.

Casino Slot Games in Jammu and Kashmir

Slots aren’t legal in Jammu and Kashmir since they are gambling games, but online slots are widely played and probably the most popular game in the state. That’s because it’s easy to learn and there’s always a small chance of winning big even with the smallest of bets. Slots are a game of luck and nothing a player can do can affect its outcome.

It’s important to note the return to player metric which states the percentage of funds a player will get back during the long run of their gameplay. Most slots have an RTP of 96 per cent or more, meaning that out of every $100 you bet, you get $96 back in winnings.

Casino Table & Card Games in Jammu and Kashmir

Table and card games are equally popular with Jammu and Kashmir players. These are games of skill in which a player has an effect on the outcome. There’s still an edge in favour of the casino, but it’s smaller than with any other game. The player should be familiar with the rules, pay attention to what the opponents are doing and it’s important to know when to give up. Some of the most popular card and table games include:

  • Poker is the most popular card game. It comes in a variety of forms, but Texas Hold Em is probably the most played.
  • Roulette is a table game of luck in which a player can win by knowing how to bet strategically.
  • Blackjack is both a card and table game in which it’s key to know when to quit.
  • Teen Patti is an Indian card game of skill, similar to poker.
  • Andar Bahar is an Indian card game of luck.

Online Lottery in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir don’t allow a lottery, unlike some Indian states. The ban only covers on-the-ground lotteries and doesn’t mention online lotteries at all, allowing the players to play at lotteries based abroad. The same principle applies with lotteries as it does with casinos- the state turns a blind eye to players using their services.

The winnings you make from the online lottery are still taxed when deposited to Indian accounts or banks. The rate is set at a flat 30 per cent for any amount higher than 10.000 rupees, as is the case with the winnings made in online casinos.

Live Casinos in Jammu and Kashmir

Live casinos offer the players a chance to play in real-time as the games are being streamed from an on-the-ground casino. The game is controlled by an actual dealer and it’s usually slower-paced than most online games since you need to wait for all the players to complete their turns.

These casinos aren’t regulated in Jammu and Kashmir since no online gaming is. This in effect means that they are allowed since the state will turn a blind eye to the players using them. Players are especially fond of live casinos since they mimic visiting an actual casino from your own home and on a mobile device.

Winnings made from online casinos are taxed.

Sports Betting in Jammu and Kashmir

Sports betting is a big part of the Jammu and Kashmir gambling culture. However, the practice is technically illegal since the 1876 Act that outlawed gambling also outlawed sports betting. Online betting isn’t mentioned and it’s therefore an often-used alternative.

Horse racing is technically legal, but there’s nowhere to bet on horse racing in Jammu and Kashmir. Online venues provide a chance for the locals to bet on horse racing in the states that do allow the practice of horse races anywhere in the world. The winnings are taxed just as those made in a casino.

How to Gamble from Jammu and Kashmir (Legally)

The outdated laws on gambling, currently in effect in Jammu and Kashmir don’t allow any gambling, lottery, or sports betting. However, those laws were written in the 19th century and they don’t account for online gambling. Using the services of an online casino based abroad is legal and quite common in Jammu and Kashmir.

The casinos accept many different payment methods and playing at one is simple and straightforward. The winnings are taxable even though the practice is outside the scope of the law. Once the funds are in an Indian account or a bank, they are taxed at 30 per cent.

Choose a Casino

The first thing to do is to choose a casino from our list. There are plenty of casinos offering their services in Jammu and Kashmir and they differ greatly in terms of the games they provide and the size of bets you can make of them.

Casinos also have varying bonus practices and bonuses can mitigate the risks for new players. They also come attached to wagering requirements. A player should also be aware of the software developers behind the games they plan to play before they can make an educated choice.

Choose a Payment Method

It’s equally important for the players to choose a payment method. It needs to be one that will allow you to both deposit and withdraw funds to and from an online casino. There are plenty of options for doing so, but bank accounts, debit cards, and e-wallets are the most popular ones.

All of these come with fees and internal rules as to how long it takes to make a deposit or a withdrawal. Keep these in mind when choosing the payment method for you but focus on security as their most important feature.

Choose the Games to Play

In the end, a player should also choose the games they plan to play. The best way to go is to play the games that you know and love. That way you’ll have a better chance of winning and you’ll have a better time overall.

Most casinos allow the players to play for tokens as well for real money with the same gameplay and a chance of winning. Players start playing for tokens as a way to learn how the game is played and to get the feel for the gameplay, and move on to playing for real money once they are ready for the risk.

You can bet on horse racing online while in Jammu and Kashmir.

Play at the Top Online Casinos in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir don’t allow gambling as do most Indian states. However, the state still has a law created in 1876 and therefore it doesn’t address online gambling. It means that online gambling is allowed as long as the casino is based outside the state.

We’ve compiled a list of casinos for you to browse and choose from. These vary widely when it comes to the size of bets you can make and the bonuses the casino provides. It’s also useful for a player to learn about the software providers so that they can choose casinos that suit them best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online gambling in Jammu and Kashmir is not regulated.

The lottery is not legal, but you can play it online.

Sports betting isn’t allowed in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gambling winnings are taxed in Jammu and Kashmir, at a rate of 30 per cent.

The payment methods you can use for online gambling in Jammu and Kashmir are bank accounts, debit cards and e-wallets.

Vladimir Kovačević
Vladimir Kovačević LinkedIn

Vladimir is our content editor with years of experience in the online casino and sports betting industry, which includes writing for websites like Football Whispers, Pundit Feed, and Football Ground Guide, among others. In addition to professional experience in this industry, Vladimir also has a personal relationship with sports betting and online gambling, which helps him dig deeper to provide useful, accurate, and relevant information about casino sites in India.