Ladakh is one of many Indian states that still have 19th-century laws on gambling. Those are strict and outlawed the practice with a few exemptions. However, they also say nothing about online gambling since it wasn’t yet invented when the laws were written. This gives Ladakh players a loophole allowing them to play in online casinos based abroad.

We’ve compiled a list of casinos operating in Ladakh for you to browse and choose from. These casinos offer a great variety of games, tournaments, and bonus offers so make sure to compare and study the list before you make your call.

List of the Best Casino Sites in Ladakh

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ladakh?

Online gambling isn’t regulated in Ladakh. The laws dating back to 1876 are still on the books and they were pretty strict when it came to the types of gambling available at the time. This included lottery and sports betting, which was common in India (and still is, but illegally).

However, all of these gambling practices are unregulated if done online since no new law was ever introduced to deal with it and many foreign casinos have taken advantage of this grey area. The funds that players win while playing in casinos based abroad are, however, taxable when deposited in India.

Brief History of Online Gambling in Ladakh

Online gambling became popular in India in the 1990s. That’s when the internet became widely available and the first PCs were introduced. Since there was already a culture of gambling and betting games in India, these tech innovations were welcomed and widely used. Ladakh players always enjoyed both Indian and western games.

Over the years online gambling grew and improved. It became available on mobile devices and many new payment methods were introduced. Over the years live events have taken over and in recent years the use of AI became common in many casinos.

Current Gambling Laws in Ladakh

There’s only one gambling law in Ladakh and it’s pretty outdated. That’s the Public Gambling Act of 1876 that prohibited gambling when it was introduced. The law covered all games of luck and therefore didn’t allow sports betting or lottery (which is allowed in many Indian states as a way to pay for public projects).

Since no laws were introduced regarding online gambling, the state has an unspoken policy of allowing online gambling if the casinos that provide the service aren’t based in the state itself. The winnings made abroad are still taxed at a rate of 30 percent.

Ladakh Online Casinos Games

Casinos operating in Ladakh offer a variety of different games and features. This includes games of luck such as slots or dice games and games of skill such as poker or baccarat. Ladakh casinos also provide Indian and western games alike since both are popular with local players.

Casinos also offer differing bet sizes to attract both novice players and high rollers. Many stage tournaments in which pros can win big. Online casinos have different bonus practices and choosing the bonus for you should be one of the most important features to look for when choosing a casino to play in.

Online gambling isn’t prohibited in Ladakh.

Casino Slot Games in Ladakh

Slots are one of the most popular gambling games in Ladakh and in the rest of India as well. Players love it since it’s a game in which you can win big even if you start with the smallest of bets and are lucky enough. It’s also easy to learn and even a novice can grasp it right away and start playing.

Slots are based on luck alone and there’s nothing a player can do to improve their chances since the game is run by a random number generator. That’s why it’s important not to try and chase your losses after you’ve had a few bad games in a row. In fact, knowing when to quit is a key part of the game.

Casino Table & Card Games in Ladakh

Table and card games are games of skill rather than chance. A player can affect the outcome of the game by betting strategically, giving up at a right time, or simply outsmarting their opponents. These games are much loved by the players since the edge in favour of the casino is much lower. The most popular of these include:

  • Poker is the most popular card game and one in which a player can win against the casino by betting strategically and being mindful of how their opponents play.
  • Blackjack is one of the most played card and table games in which knowing when to give up can help you win big.
  • Teen Patti is an Indian card game similar to poker but somewhat simplified.
  • Andar Bahar is an Indian card game based on luck alone.

Online Lottery in Ladakh

Lottery is illegal in Ladakh since all games of luck are. 13 Indian states make an exemption and allow lottery as a way to fund public projects and charitable efforts. Ladakh doesn’t have such an exemption, however, since 1876 is pretty broad.

Online lotteries are common on the other hand since they are not regulated. Casinos based abroad and outside the state regularly cater to Ladakh players and the winnings made from a lottery are taxed just as the winnings made in a casino. The tax is 30 percent regardless of the size of your winnings.

Live Casinos in Ladakh

Live casinos are becoming increasingly popular recently since they are a way for a player to experience the rush of going into an actual casino from their own home. These live events are streamed from a real casino and controlled by a dealer while the players take part in the game as it unfolds. Even though live games are as fair as those based on random number generators- players tend to trust them more.

Ladakh casinos offer live events and the local laws don’t mention anything about them, meaning that they are allowed as long as the casino isn’t based in the state, as is the case with other gambling games we’ve mentioned.

Sports Betting in Ladakh

Sports betting isn’t legal in Ladakh since it’s a game of luck and games of luck aren’t allowed in accordance with the Public Gambling Act. As is the case with any other form of gambling, there’s no mention of online sports betting so it’s a loophole you can take advantage of.

The laws do allow horse racing and betting on it. However, the process for doing so is too complicated leading most players to bet online only. The winnings made from sports betting are also taxed even when made abroad and at the same rate.

Sports betting isn’t allowed in Ladakh, but you can play online.

How to Gamble from Ladakh (Legally)

Betting isn’t allowed in Ladakh, but it’s still possible to bet in online casinos since the practice isn’t regulated. This also goes for lottery and sports betting. Luckily, the state turns a blind eye to those that bet online and simply tax the winnings once you transfer them to India.

The rules, gameplay, and chances are the same when betting online as they would be when you use on-the-ground casinos. Many casinos on our list allow you to play live games that are actually streamed from a casino. Keep in mind you’ll need to connect your casino account with a payment method to fund your games and deposit your winnings.

Choose a Casino

Start by choosing the casino you plan to use. There are plenty of options on our list and Ladakh casinos cater to a variety of different players. Make sure to look for a casino that features games you’re familiar with and software providers that can be trusted.

It’s also useful to play in casinos that have bonuses to help you mitigate the risks of gambling as much as possible. However, keep in mind that bonuses tend to come with wagering requirements and you won’t be able to withdraw the funds until you bet some of your own.

Choose a Payment Method

Since online gambling is the only way to bet in Ladakh, you’ll also need a payment method to transfer your funds to and from a casino account. There are many options out there but banks, debit cards, and e-wallets are the most used.

All of these have their upsides and downsides and different policies when it comes to how to withdraw funds and what limits are imposed on players. There are also fees for withdrawing the funds and they differ from one payment method to the other, so it’s a good idea to carefully consider these.

Choose the Game

The last thing to choose is the game you’re going to play. It’s best to play the games you know and love. That will help you achieve the best outcome and it will make the games more enjoyable. However, this doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself to only a few games.

Most casinos on our list provide an option to play for tokens. That way you can learn how to play the game with no risk and move on to the games played for cash once you’re ready. There’s a range within that as well since you can start with low bets and move on from that.

Play at the Top Online Casinos in Ladakh

Ladakh doesn’t allow gambling since it still operates under the Public Gambling Act of 1876 which prohibited most forms of it. However, the laws say nothing about gambling online which means players can legally play in online casinos if they’re licensed outside the state. This also goes for sports betting and lottery.

We’ve set up a list of such casinos for you to browse and choose from. When choosing a casino you should take into account its selection of games, the size of its bonuses as well as the software providers behind the games.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, but online gambling isn’t regulated.

No, but online lottery isn’t mentioned in the laws.

The Public Gambling Act of 1876 is still in effect.

Yes, at a rate of 30 percent.

Countless gambling games are available including games of luck, card games, and table games.

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.