Online gambling is a popular pastime in Manipur and local players enjoy most games popular across India. Local laws were written in the 19th century and they were quite strict when it comes to which gambling activities are prohibited. However, the law doesn’t mention online gambling since it wasn’t yet invented allowing players to legally bet in casinos based abroad.

We’ve compiled a list of casinos offering their services to Manipur players for you to check out and choose from. These casinos cater to players of all sizes and offer a great variety of games with bonus options.

List of the Best Casino Sites in Manipur

Is Online Gambling Legal in Manipur?

Online gambling isn’t regulated in Manipur. The laws that prohibit gambling in this state were introduced in 1876 when online gambling wasn’t yet a thing. Since online gambling isn’t specifically mentioned, it’s perfectly fine to use the services of a casino based outside the state.

The winnings made from gambling online are still taxed when deposited in a bank or a card in Manipur. The tax rate is set at 30 per cent and there’s a limit of 10.000 at which the income becomes taxable. The lottery is legal both offline and online.

Brief History of Online Gambling in Manipur

Online gambling became popular in Manipur in the 1990s. That’s when computers and the internet became widely available to Indian players. They were also tech-savvy and had plenty of disposable income to spend. The tradition of illegal gambling, however, goes back far longer than that.

Over the years online gambling changed as the technology behind it did. Gambling on mobile devices became common and AI was used to control the games. Countless different payment methods were invented and introduced as a way to accommodate new players and their financial needs.

Current Gambling Laws in Manipur

At this point, there are two laws that you need to know about that cover gambling in Manipur. The Public Gambling Act is the most well-known one. It’s the national law that prohibits gambling in the whole of India. It was introduced in 1876 so it doesn’t cover online gambling at all.

The other important law is the Lotteries Regulations Act of 1998. It’s the law that allowed the 13 states to have lotteries. Both offline and online lotteries are available and legal in Manipur. The cash prices for the lottery, however, are rather low since the law limits the amount you can win.

Online Casinos Manipur

Manipur Online Casinos Games

Casinos that operate in Manipur offer a variety of different games. It includes games of luck and games of skill since both are equally popular in Manipur. Local players also enjoy western and Indian games alike. Most of the games you can play can also be played for tokens as a way to learn the game and the strategy without risking real money.

Casinos also offer a great many different bonuses as a way to promote their services to new players. These bonuses aren’t free money. Instead, they come with wagering requirements attached and sometimes it may be too expensive to withdraw them.

Manipur still has a gambling law from 1876.

Casino Slot Games in Manipur

Slot games are the most popular gambling games in Manipur and in India as a whole. It’s a game of luck only since its outcome is determined by a random number generator. That way you can win big even with the smallest of initial bets.

Slots also come in a lot of different themes and aesthetics and many players choose which slot game to play based on it alone. The bonuses and multipliers differ from one game to the other and a player should investigate these features carefully before choosing one.

Casino Table & Card Games in Manipur

Table and card games are based on skill rather than luck and that’s what players love about them. These games still work in the favour of the casino in the long run, but the edge is much lower than with other gambling games. The most popular of these games include:

  • Poker is a card game of skill in which a player wins based on strategy, knowing when to take risks, and bluffing.
  • Blackjack is a card game in which a player can win by knowing when it’s the right time to quit.
  • Roulette is a table game based on luck, but one that rewards making smart bets.
  • Teen Patti is an Indian card game somewhat similar to poker.
  • Andar Bahar is an Indian card game based on luck alone.

Online Lottery in Manipur

Lotteries are allowed in Manipur since it’s one of the 13 states that legalized it in the 1990s. Lotteries can be played both online and offline in Manipur and the state uses them to fund public projects and charitable work. Three lotteries are drawn every day.

However, there’s a small catch in that the prizes aren’t that large. International lotteries offer much bigger prizes and there’s no law stopping you from playing them as well. The winnings from these are also taxable once you deposit them to an Indian account, the same as the winnings made from gambling.

Live Casinos in Manipur

Live casinos are becoming increasingly popular with younger players. They streamed games live from real on-the-ground casinos and players take part in the games in real-time. This mimics the experience of going to a casino while playing from your phone.

Laws currently in place in Manipur don’t mention live casinos in particular, since they are rather outdated and live casinos are a new phenomenon. However, this also means there’s no law prohibiting the practice so you’re free to use a casino based abroad. Most casinos on our list offer live games along with online ones.

Sports Betting in Manipur

Sports betting isn’t allowed in Manipur and if you want to bet on an on-the-ground establishment, all that you can do is travel to Sikkim which is nearby. Manipur players also bet online as long as the casinos are based outside the state. The most popular sports to bet on are probably cricket and football.

Horse racing isn’t allowed in Manipur even though it’s one of the most popular sports to bet on. However, it’s possible to bet on horse racing online as well and many players do so. The winnings are taxed the same way as the winnings from gambling.

Live games are streamed from a real casino.

How to Gamble from Manipur (Legally)

It’s possible and quite easy to bet online from Manipur. Gambling is illegal in Manipur since the laws passed in 1876 prohibited it. However, online gambling isn’t regulated and it’s quite common for the state looking the other way at the practice. The winnings made in online casinos are taxed once you deposit them in an Indian bank.

In order to bet online you’ll need a payment method to deposit and withdraw the funds to and from a casino account. Not all casinos accept all payment methods and they all come with fees once the funds are transferred to a card or a bank.

Choose the Casino

We’ve provided you with a list of casinos to choose from. There are many facets to take into account when choosing a casino and you should always start with safety and convenience. You should look for casinos that feature the games you plan to play and that are suited to your needs in terms of the size of the bets.

Pay attention to the bonuses the casinos offer to promote their services. These can help you increase your winnings or play with less risk involved. Bonuses aren’t free money since there’s a wagering requirement you need to meet before withdrawing your funds.

Choose a Payment Method

Most casinos try to allow the use of as many payment methods as possible to accommodate their players. The most convenient way to go is to use the payment methods that can be used for both withdrawals and deposits. Debit cards, e-wallets, and bank accounts are the commonly used payment options, but there are others as well.

It takes some time to withdraw and deposit the funds and sometimes these delays can take up to a few days. Keep in mind that payment methods also charge fees for the service and that this can add up if you play for small sums.

Choose the Game

In the end, you should choose the games you plan to play. The best way to go is to choose the casino games based on what you love and find interesting and not based on how much you can win. Knowing the casino game inside out can also improve your odds of winning.

Most casino games on our list can be played for tokens and for real money. Playing for tokens allows the players to experience the gameplay and learn how to play without risking any real money. Once you’re ready for it you can move on to playing the same casino game for cash.

Play at the Top Online Casinos in Manipur

Online gambling is legal when playing from Manipur since it’s not regulated by local laws. The funds you do earn this way are still taxed once you deposit them to an Indian bank. The lottery can be played both in online casinos and in Manipur itself.

We’ve set up a list of online casinos for you to browse and choose from. These online casinos vary in terms of the games they offer, the size of bets you can make, and the bonuses they provide. Take your time and choose a casino that suits your gambling needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, gambling in Manipur is not legal, but online gambling isn’t regulated.

Yes, lotteries are legal in Manipur.

No, it’s not, but you can do it online if the casino is based outside the state.

Yes, they are, at a rate of 30 per cent.

No, horse racing isn’t legal in Manipur. However, if an online casino is based outside the state, you can place bets online. Bear in mind that the winnings are taxed the same way as the winning from gambling.

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.