CUTS International recently reported that illegal online iGaming platforms in India get over 5.8 billion visits in a year. This shows how much Indians love to play games, but it’s also a sign that the country needs better regulations in place when it comes to online gaming.
Now, things are different for many European countries because several of them have already built clear, centralized frameworks to regulate the said activity. They have licensing systems, strict advertising rules, and player protection tools to ensure that those who get into online iGaming are protected.
So, why can’t India do the same? What does India have right now, if there’s any, regarding the operations of online gaming platforms? Let’s take a closer look.
India’s Current iGaming Laws
India’s iGaming scene mostly relies upon outdated laws and piecemeal state policies. There’s no national online gaming framework, as states and cities can implement their regulations regarding these activities.
However, there are casinos that operate legally in three jurisdictions: Goa, Sikkim, and Daman & Diu. Both onshore and offshore casinos are permitted in Goa, which greatly boosts both state income and tourism. For Sikkim, under its 2008 Act, access to online casinos remains limited, while Nagaland exclusively permits skill-based games like rummy and poker.
For other states, they still heavily rely on the Public Gambling Act of 1867. This bans the operations of local gambling facilities and prescribes minor penalties (up to a ₹200 fine or 3 months’ jail.
However, fantasy sports are viewed differently. Multiple High Courts, including Bombay and Rajasthan, have classified them as games of skill, and this was legitimized by an August 2021 Supreme Court ruling.
When it comes to how to choose a safe gambling app, it should depend on one’s location. If they’re in Sikkim then they should consider using regulated gambling sites. If not, most of the online casinos available to Indians are operating in the grey area.
How Europe Approaches iGaming Regulation
Under the 2014 EU Gambling Act, member states must implement licensing, player protections, anti-money laundering (AML), and GDPR standards. But there are still different governing bodies responsible for regulating gambling in different countries:
- United Kingdom: The Gambling Act of 2005 is currently enforced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). They have a reputation for being the most stringent, particularly regarding licensing, deposit caps, and rigorous advertising.
- Germany: Germany unified its market in 2021 via the Interstate Gambling Treaty. The new regulator, GGL (since January 2023), is the body that issues licenses under a constitutional deposit framework of €5 million per operator.
- Sweden: In Sweden, Spelinspektionen enforces licensing, KYC, bonus restrictions, and the nationwide Spelpaus self-exclusion. They also recently updated their AML measures, after fining three gambling companies.
How Europe is Regulating Gambling Activities
Even if there are different governing bodies responsible for keeping track of online gambling activities in different European countries, it’s still not easy to keep track of every single transaction. Many of them rely on technologies, but they also work closely with gambling operators to do the following:
- Digital KYC/AML: Sweden’s 2025 AML update introduced stricter verification measures for high-risk gamers. They want to focus on enhanced due diligence (EDD) and transaction monitoring. This mostly means players who spend high amounts on gambling should be verified with documents like proof of income.
- Geo-Blocking: Locals won’t be able to log in to banned or unlicensed and unregulated online gambling sites.
- Deposit & Session Monitoring: Germany has mandatory deposit limits (max €1,000 per month). Higher deposit limits (up to €10,000 or €30,000) are available only to a small percentage of players who provide bank statements, tax returns, and credit history checks, and Sweden enforces bonus and required session limits.
- Real-Time Reporting: Regulators monitor suspicious patterns and share data across law enforcement and financial agencies. This is also how the likes of Germany and Sweden identify high-risk/spending players.
Where India Falls Short and What It Can Learn from Europe
The thing is that India lacks regulations for online gambling activities. There’s no uniform KYC process, no national self-exclusion system, and no effective way to block offshore sites. As a result, illegal platforms flourish, enforcement is slow, and users remain largely unprotected.
What India can learn from Europe is clear: adopt a national gambling regulator, implement mandatory digital verification (Aadhaar or PAN-based), and maybe enforce spending caps or exclusion tools.
Summary
We can say that India already has the digital infrastructure, and what it really needs now is the political and legislative push to build a safer and regulated online gambling industry. However, it’s probably going to take a while, as this involves coordinated action between central and state governments, updates to outdated laws, and the creation of a national regulatory authority.
Still, the longer India waits, the more users it loses to offshore platforms operating without oversight or accountability. Looking at how Europe has balanced innovation with control, India has a real chance to follow suit.
