Most Indian states still have a 19th-century law regarding gambling. Odisha on the other hand, went the other way and introduced its own laws in the 1950s. The law was just as strict and it prohibited most forms of gambling. However, it doesn’t regulate online gambling since it wasn’t yet invented allowing players to use online casinos based abroad.

We’ve set up a list of online casinos working in Odisha for you to browse and choose from. The casinos vary greatly in terms of the games they offer, the size of bets you can make, and the bonuses they provide.

List of the Best Casino Sites in Odisha

Is Online Gambling Legal in Odisha?

Online gambling isn’t mentioned in the laws governing the practice in Odisha. Therefore, the practice is legal and unregulated. The same goes for sports betting. The lottery is allowed, however. Many players take advantage of this loophole and play at online casinos that are based outside the state and therefore aren’t affected by its laws.

The state still taxes the winnings you make gambling online. The tax is set at 30 per cent and any winnings larger than 10.000 rupees are eligible to be taxed. As soon as the funds are deposited to an Indian account or card.

Brief History of Online Gambling in Odisha

Odisha has a long tradition of gambling and as soon as online gambling became available local players accepted it as a way to bypass the strict gambling laws. Online gambling became popular in the 1990s, when the internet and personal computers became widely available.

Over the years online gambling changed and improved as the tech behind it, did as well. Mobile gambling became common, and so did the use of AI to determine the outcome of the games. Recently, live and streamed events took over as the latest trend in the gambling world.

Current Gambling Laws in Odisha

There are a few laws governing gambling in Odisha. These include the Public Gambling Act of 1867, the Bengal Gambling Act of 1867, the Madras Gambling Act of 1930, and The Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, of 1955. The lottery is allowed in Odisha in accordance with Orissa State Lottery Rules, 1983.

The laws state that all types of gambling are illegal and that they are punishable by a monetary fine or by a prison sentence. It’s one of the rare Indian states that prohibits even betting on horse racing. None of these laws mentions online gambling.

Online Casinos Odisha

Odisha Online Casinos Games

Online casinos that work in Odisha provide a variety of different games. These include the most popular Indian games, like Teen Patti, Andar Bahar, and Dragon Tiger, which are well-liked and played by Odisha players. Games of luck and games of skills are both featured since there’s a market for both.

These casinos also differ when it comes to the types of bonuses they provide. Bonuses are a way for casinos to promote their work, but they come with wagering requirements that you need to meet in order to withdraw the funds. Players should be aware of these differences when choosing which casino to play in and which game to try.

Odisha has its own laws that regulate gambling.

Casino Slot Games in Odisha

Slots are the most played gambling game in Odisha casinos, but also in India in general. It’s a game of luck and the outcome is determined by a random number generator. That means that the players can’t do anything to improve their chances and there’s no point in chasing your losses.

Slots also come in many different themes and with a variety of multipliers and bonus features. The players often choose their favourite slot based on its theme and overall aesthetic. It’s also essential to do some research and find out about the return-to-player rate before choosing the one for you.

Casino Table & Card Games in Odisha

Table and card games are games of skill. In those games, players can affect the outcome and increase their chances of winning. They still have an edge in favour of the casino, but it’s smaller than other games. The key to winning is to know the rules, be aware of how your opponents approach the game and know when to quit. The most popular of these games are:

  • Poker is the most popular card game. Texas Hold’Em is only one of many versions, but it’s the one most players are familiar with.
  • Blackjack is considered to be both a card and table game. It’s a game of luck, but the player can bet and withdraw strategically.
  • Roulette is a table game of luck in which a player wins by betting strategically.
  • Teen Patti is an Indian card game similar to poker and based on skill.
  • Andar Bahar is an Indian card game of luck.

Online Lottery in Odisha

Online lottery is allowed in the state and so is the lottery you can buy within the state. It’s regulated by the Lottery Regulation Act of 1988. Odisha isn’t one of the 13 states that have a state lottery, but the practice is allowed and there have been plans to institute it as a way to fund public projects.

It’s also allowed to use the services of online lotteries based outside the state. That way the players can choose from a wider array of lotteries and potential winnings. The funds won from a lottery are taxed the same as those from a casino.

Live Casinos in Odisha

Live casinos are a popular innovation in the world of online gambling. They are streamed online from an actual casino and in real-time. The players take part in the game as it unfolds and as it’s being controlled by a real dealer. This has become a favourite way to gamble for many players that want the experience of visiting a real casino while playing online.

Laws regulating gambling in Odisha don’t mention live gambling or online gambling since they were written in the 1950s. Many casinos operating in the state provide this option and players can play almost any game in its live version.

Sports Betting in Odisha

Sports betting isn’t allowed in Odisha. It’s considered to be a game of luck and therefore a form of gambling. Online sports betting isn’t regulated and therefore it’s allowed if the gambling establishment is based outside the state. The most popular sports to bet on from Odisha are cricket, football, and polo.

Horse racing is also prohibited in Odisha. Most other states make an exemption when it comes to betting on horse racing, but Odisha is stricter in this regard. Online betting on horse racing is also unregulated and therefore allowed, as well.

Live casinos are becoming the most popular way to gamble in Odisha.

How to Gamble from Odisha (Legally)

Each Indian state has its own way of regulating online gambling. Online gambling in Odisha isn’t regulated and therefore it’s perfectly legal as long as the casino is based outside the state. Players can use the services of an online casino using their mobile device or a desktop computer. You’ll also need a payment method to fund your gambling efforts and to deposit the winnings.

There are plenty of options when it comes to casinos, games, and payment methods. Players should take their time and do their due diligence when it comes to comparing and contrasting the services of different casinos. That way you can choose the online casino that will suit your needs.

Choose a Casino

There are many casinos offering their services to Odisha players. You can choose the one that suits your needs from our list. It’s best to carefully investigate the casinos and compare them beforehand. Take into account the games they offer, the size of bets you can make, and what kind of players use their services.

Casinos also differ when it comes to the types of bonuses, their size, and the wagering requirements attached to them. A player should carefully study and compare these when choosing which online casino to play.

Choose a Payment Method

Since the only way to gamble in Odisha is to do it online, players should also choose a payment method to use. The best way to go is to use a payment method with which you can both deposit and withdraw the funds to and from your casino account. Bank accounts, debit cards, and e-wallets are the most commonly used options.

All of these payment methods have their own policies when it comes to the fees you need to pay and how long it actually takes to get your funds deposited into your account. Carefully measure these against each other before making a call.

Choose the Games

Lastly, you should also decide on which games to play. It’s best to play the games that you know and enjoy. This will also help you get better at them and improve your chances, at least with games of skill. With such games, practice can actually help you get better over time.

Most of the casinos on our list allow the players to play for both tokens and real money. That way you can practice and learn how the games work without risking any of your own funds. Players move on to playing for cash when they feel ready.

Play at the Top Online Casinos in Odisha

Odisha has its own gambling laws, unlike most of the country, but they are just as strict as those dating back to the 19th century. However, these laws were introduced in the 1950s and they don’t mention online gambling, allowing it to happen if the casinos are based outside the state. They also prohibit sports betting.

We’ve set up a list of online casinos offering their services to Odisha players for you to browse and choose from. When doing so, make sure to compare the types of games you can play, the size of bets you can make, and the bonus policy the casino offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s not regulated, meaning that it’s allowed.

It’s prohibited, but players can legally bet online.

Online lottery is allowed in Odisha.

The most popular games are slots, poker, roulette, Andar Bahar, and Teen Patti.

Yes, at a flat rate of 30 per cent.

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.