Uttarakhand is one of many Indian states that didn’t change their gambling regulations since the 19th century. This means that gambling is illegal but the law is outdated and doesn’t mention online or live gambling. Players from Uttarakhand can therefore safely bet online, using casinos based outside the state jurisdiction.

We’ve set up a list of online casinos offering their services to Uttarakhand players for you to browse and choose from. There are plenty of those so make sure to carefully compare and contrast them before choosing which one to use. This is especially true when it comes to choosing bonuses and tournaments some casinos offer.

List of the Best Casino Sites in Uttarakhand

Is Online Gambling Legal in Uttarakhand?

Online gambling is a complicated topic in India, and the legality of online gambling in Uttarakhand depends on the specific laws and regulations of the state and the country as a whole.

In Uttarakhand, there are currently no specific laws or regulations that prohibit online gambling. However, it’s important to note that the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a federal law that governs gambling in India, makes all forms of gambling illegal, with the exception of certain games of skill like horse racing and rummy.

Still, Uttarakhand players can use the services of online casinos based outside the state. Local gambling laws were written in 1867 when online gambling wasn’t yet invented so they don’t mention it.

While certain forms of gambling may be illegal, the winnings are still taxed. Any winnings that are deposited into an Indian bank account or credit card are subject to income tax at a flat rate of 30% if the winnings exceed 10,000 rupees.

Brief History of Online Gambling in Uttarakhand

Like many other states in India, Uttarakhand follows the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which makes most forms of gambling illegal.

In recent years, the rise of online gambling has prompted some states to consider new regulations. In 2019, the Law Commission of India recommended that gambling and sports betting be legalized and regulated in the country. The commission proposed a model law that would allow for both online and offline gambling under certain conditions, including player protection measures and responsible gambling practices.

However, as of now, Uttarakhand has not made any significant changes to its laws regarding online gambling. It is important to note that while online gambling may not be explicitly illegal in Uttarakhand, it is still considered a grey area. It is a loophole that is allowing the players to bet abroad while Uttarakhand law prohibited gambling altogether.

Since the beginning of the 2000s, when online gambling became popular, online gambling has changed and improved as the tech behind it did. Casinos started accepting a variety of different payment options, gambling on mobile devices became common and recently live events became popular.

Current Gambling Laws in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand still has the 19th-century national gambling law as do most Indian states. The Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits most types of gambling including lotteries and sports betting. However, it doesn’t mention online gambling at all, since it wasn’t invented when the law was written and introduced.

Indian players use online casinos and online lotteries based outside the state since that process isn’t regulated and therefore it’s perfectly legal to do so. The government can still tax the winnings made this way and they do for winnings over 10.000 rupees.

Online Casinos Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Online Casinos Games

Online casinos that cater to players in Uttarakhand offer a diverse range of games, including both Western and Indian games, given the popularity of both types of games in the state. These games may range from games of pure luck to games of skill, with a variety of tournaments available to players as well. The bonuses and rewards offered by online casinos can vary greatly, with some offering generous sign-up bonuses, while others offer loyalty rewards or regular promotions to existing players.

Bonuses aren’t free money. They come with wagering requirements attached. This means that the players need to bet at least some of their own money in order to be able to withdraw the bonus. This lowers its value, so players need to be aware of how it works.

Uttarakhand has an outdated gambling law, that doesn’t mention online gambling.

Casino Slot Games in Uttarakhand

Slot games are very popular in Uttarakhand and in India in general. It’s a simple and easy casino game to learn and there’s a chance of winning big even with the smallest of bets. Slots are a game of luck and the outcome is determined by a random number generator. Therefore, there’s nothing a player can do to affect the game nor should they chase their losses.

Slots also come in many different themes and aesthetics and many players choose which to use, based on these features alone. A smarter way to go would be to learn about the return to player rate before playing a game of slots.

Casino Table & Card Games in Uttarakhand

Table and card games are very popular in Uttarakhand since they are games of skill rather than luck. This means that the player can affect the outcome of the game and win based on how they bet and how well they know the game. These games still have an edge in favour of the casino, but a smaller one than most gambling games. The most popular ones are:

  • Poker is the most popular card game that involves skill and strategy. Texas Hold’Em is the most played version, but there are also versions like Seven Card Stud or Five Card poker.
  • Blackjack is a table game that combines both luck and skill. It’s based on luck, but you can increase your odds by knowing when to quit.
  • Baccarat is a table game that is mostly based on luck, but there are some strategies that can be applied to increase winning chances.
  • Roulette is a table game purely on luck. Still, players can increase their odds by betting strategically.
  • Teen Patti is an Indian card game that involves skill and is similar to poker, but with simplified rules.
  • Andar Bahar is an Indian game of luck, that is played with a single deck of cards.

Online Lottery in Uttarakhand

Some Indian states have an official lottery run by the state itself. It’s a good way to fund public projects and charitable efforts. However, Uttarakhand isn’t one of those at least not at this time. Players can therefore drive to one of the states that do allow it or play the lottery online.

Online lotteries are a great option since they provide the players with a wider array of lotteries to choose from than they would have had if you’re limited to the lotteries in their area. The winnings made this way are taxable, the same way those from a casino would have been.

Live Casinos in Uttarakhand

Live casinos are a relatively new innovation in the world of online gambling, but they’ve quickly become popular. These games are streamed live from actual on-the-ground casinos and controlled by an actual dealer. Playing in a live casino mimics the look and feel of actually visiting a real casino from the comfort of your home and mobile device.

Live casinos are legal in Uttarakhand since they aren’t mentioned in the Public Gambling Act. Players can freely use live casinos, as long as they are based outside the state and they are aware that they will get taxed on the winnings once they deposit them to a bank or a debit card.

Uttarakhand players enjoy both games of skill and games of luck.

Sports Betting in Uttarakhand

Sports betting is illegal in Uttarakhand since it’s a game of luck. However, it’s one of the most popular forms of betting in India and it’s still widely done mostly using online casinos. The popular sports to bet on are cricket, football, and polo. The only exception to these strict gambling rules is betting on horse racing which is allowed in Uttarakhand.

Horse racing was always considered to be a game of skill rather than luck and therefore it’s allowed both offline and online. There are benefits to playing online since it gives you a wider array of tracks to bet on. The winnings are taxed the same as with the casinos.

How to Gamble from Uttarakhand (Legally)

Gambling is illegal in Uttarakhand, but online gambling isn’t regulated by its outdated law. Players can therefore legally and simply use the services of an online casino as long as they are based outside the state. You’ll need a payment method to connect to your casino account and withdraw your winnings.

Players need to carefully compare the casinos, the payment methods, and the games they plan to play. That way they can choose their moves in accordance with statistics and their own experience and in turn get the most out of the experience.

Choose a Casino

You should start by choosing an online casino that caters to Uttarakhand players. There are a lot of casinos to choose from and they differ in terms of the games you can play, the size of bets you can make, and the bonuses the casinos offer. It pays off to compare and contrast all of these features before choosing the one that will suit you.

It’s also important to note the wagering requirements that the bonuses are attached to. This means that a player needs to spend some of their own money before they are able to withdraw the bonus. Sometimes, this lowers the value of the bonus significantly.

Choose a Payment Method

Since you can only bet online if you’re based in Uttarakhand, you’ll need to add a payment method to your casino account. It’s best to use a payment method that can be used to both deposit and withdraw funds. The most popular options out there are Skrill, UPI, ecoPayz, or using bank accounts.

All of these methods have their own policies when it comes to how long it takes to deposit the funds and what fees you need to pay. These vary greatly between different payment methods and it helps to carefully compare and contrast different options.

Choose the Game

Ultimately, players should choose the games they enjoy playing the most. If a game involves skill, playing a familiar game can increase one’s chances of winning. However, this doesn’t mean players should limit themselves to just a few games. Most games, including poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, teen patti, and andar bahar, can be played for both tokens and real money. Beginners should start by playing for tokens to learn the rules and strategies of the game before transitioning to playing for real money when they feel comfortable.

Lotteries are illegal in Uttarakhand.

Play at the Top Online Casinos in Uttarakhand

Online gambling is legal in Uttarakhand since it’s not regulated by its outdated laws. Players can safely and easily use online casinos based outside the state. This goes for playing lotteries and sports betting as well. The winnings made this way are still taxed when you deposit them to a bank in Uttarakhand.

We’ve set up a list of casinos for you to browse and choose from. The casinos differ greatly in terms of the types of games you can play, the bets you can make, and the available tournaments. Make sure to carefully study your options and make the decision after some deliberations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online gambling is not explicitly legal or illegal in Uttarakhand as there are no specific laws or regulations related to online gambling in the state. However, gambling is generally considered illegal in Uttarakhand under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Despite this, many players in Uttarakhand use online casinos and lotteries based outside the state, as the process is not regulated and therefore not prohibited. The winnings from such online gambling activities are still subject to taxation by the government if they exceed INR 10,000, regardless of their legal status.

No, but you can still play the online lottery.

No, with the exception of horse racing.

Yes, the winnings from online gambling are subject to taxation, at a rate of 30 per cent.

There are plenty of payment methods you could use, but the most common ones are UPI, Skrill, Astropay, or credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard.

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.