ONLINE CASINO INDIA 2023
A Beginner’s Guide to Real Money Gambling
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Choosing an online casino in India for real money gambling might leave you spoilt for choice. After all, there are plenty of options on the internet!
But which are the best online casinos? Which casino sites accept deposits and withdrawals in Rupees (₹) with Indian-friendly payment methods?
This article lists the most trusted Indian casinos online and addresses the most frequently asked questions about legally playing real money games on them.
Best Online Casinos in India in 2023
The following online casinos active in the Indian market have scored the highest in our rigorous test:
| Best overall casino | Bluechip |
| Best first deposit bonus | Bluechip |
| Most promotional offers | Jeetcity |
| Best no deposit bonus | Bollybet |
| Best high roller bonus | Jeetcity |
| Best mobile experience | Casino Days |
| Fastest payouts | Bluechip |
| Widest game range | SOL Casino |
| Best for cricket betting | SOL Casino |
| Best for live casino games | Casino Days |
| Best for slot machines | Bluechip |
| Best for UPI payments | Casino Days |
| Best customer care | Casino Days |
How to Play Casino Online in India?
To help beginners, we have explained how to play casino online in India in 4 easy steps.
Step1: Register to Create Your Casino Account
To play at casinos online, you must first create an account with the sites because guest players aren’t entertained. You can do it by following these steps:
- Choose from our list of recommended online casinos and proceed to the signup page.
- Enter the basic details, including your name, date of birth, residential address, email ID, and phone number (or whatever the operator requires).
- Create a username and a strong password for your casino account.
- Enter the verification code sent to you in your email or on your phone (if required).
- Log in and get started.
Step 2: Deposit and Claim Your Welcome Bonus
Real money casino games require you to deposit money and bankroll yourself first. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Cashier,” “Banking” or “Deposit” page of the casino.
- Find your preferred payment method from the dropdown.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit (make sure it is equal to or more than the minimum deposit amount specified by the casino to activate the welcome bonus).
- Confirm the payment to get your casino account bankrolled.
Please remember that in some online casinos, the welcome bonus could be “opt-in.” In such cases, you would need to select it before making a deposit. However, in most casino sites, you will be able to claim the welcome bonus while making the deposit.
Step 3: Start Playing Casino Games
- Pick your favorite casino game from the range of available games (virtual or live games).
- Play the demo game (only for virtual games) for free if you want to try it out without investing money first.
- Put in real money and watch the action unfold.
- Meet the wagering requirements to withdraw winnings without hassles.
Step 4: Win and Withdraw
- Go to the “Cashier,” “Banking” or “Withdrawal” page of the casino.
- Select the same payment method you chose for the deposit.
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw and request a withdrawal.
- Wait for the casino to process your request and release the payment.
- Wait for your bank to approve the credit.
- Find your winnings in your bank account.
What to Expect During Withdrawal of Winnings
When you withdraw winnings at an online casino, there will be a waiting period and most likely an account verification.
Account Verification
At any given time after successful registration, an online casino might want to verify your identity. This usually happens if you’ve requested to withdraw your winnings and is a one-time process. Either it happens on your first withdrawal or when roughly €2,000 or its currency equivalent in Rupees has been cashed out.
Most online casinos usually don’t initiate the verification process right after your first deposit to keep the customer experience more permissive. However, a few casino sites wouldn’t even let you make a deposit without verifying your identity.
Legitimate casino sites in India require you to verify your identity for the following reasons:
- To ensure payout to the right winner.
- To prevent bonus abuse.
- To remain licensed and legally compliant.
- To avoid unintended money laundering.
- To keep financial crimes at bay.
- To put a check on underage and problem gambling.
Verification generally involves two processes:
- Know Your Customer (KYC)
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
Know Your Customer (KYC)
This process is mostly mandated by the licenser or authority regulating the casinos. To complete KYC, you need to furnish the following documents:
- Proof of identity (national ID issued by the Government of India such as ADHAAR, PAN, or Voter ID; Passport; Driver’s License; marriage certificate or affidavit in case of name change)
- Proof of address (utility bill; bank passbook with residential address)
An online casino might, however, ask for more information if the above documents fail to establish your trustworthiness. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Bank statement
- Photocopy of credit card (if used to deposit with)
- Print-screen of e-wallet (if used to deposit with)
- Facial recognition
- Phone verification
Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
Occasionally, apart from asking for the aforementioned documents and information, an online casino might also run additional identity checks by getting access to the following:
- Mobile network data
- Geolocation
- Information regarding your occupation
- Transaction types at the casino
- Preferred payment methods
- Frequency of deposits
- Amounts paid
- Verification via third parties (banks, lawyers, and auditors)
- Proof of being or not being a politically exposed person
Successful verification ensures unrestricted access to your online casino account and hassle-free withdrawal of winnings.
Waiting Period
There will almost always be a waiting period for every withdrawal of winnings. A casino might process your request for a withdrawal immediately (within a few minutes). But it would still take a while for the bank to further process the request so your money is credited to your bank account.
You might experience delays if…
- Your online casino account hasn’t been verified yet.
- You didn’t use the same payment method you used for deposits.
- Your debit card and casino account details are incorrect.
- You've been involved in bonus abuse.
Processing time will also depend on the payment method you choose. For instance, bank transfers might take 1 to 5 business days, while an e-wallet transfer would be instant. This time is in addition to the online casino’s own processing time, which can vary from 0 to 72 hours.
Checklist for Choosing an Indian Online Casino
Wondering how to choose an Indian online casino? Make sure it ticks all the boxes on this checklist:
- Valid license
- Clear and fair terms and conditions
- Profitable bonuses
- VIP rewards
- Multiple payment options
- Diverse game range
- Quick withdrawal time
- Efficient customer support team
- Safe and secure
- Easy website navigation
Valid License
A casino site doing serious business will always make it a point to be licensed and keep its license updated. Don’t play on one that doesn’t do both. You’ll usually find an online casino's license information in the footer of its site.
Clear and Fair Terms and Conditions
Even with a valid license, an online casino can be fishy. This is where terms and conditions come into play. Always read them thoroughly to find out if the casino is really worth your time and money or if it’s trying to pull tricks.
These are some of the most important things you should examine in a casino’s T&C:
- Conditions for claiming bonuses (for instance, the minimum deposit amount to qualify for a matched welcome bonus).
- Wagering requirement for bonuses (for instance, if it’s too high or tied to the bonus as well as deposit or if the game you wish to play doesn’t contribute substantially towards meeting it).
- Time limits for meeting the wagering requirements (for instance, if it’s practically possible to meet X wagering requirements in Y days).
- Withdrawal limits (for instance, restrictions on the amount you are allowed to withdraw per day or in a given week could be demotivating).
Profitable Bonuses
Make sure the bonuses you opt for offer more entertainment value than surprises. No online casino will give something for free, but the value of a bonus can vary a lot. The key lies in the terms and conditions. Bonuses tied to very high wagering requirements provide less value than those with lower requirements. Bonuses can also be more or less entertainingly designed.
VIP Rewards
If you’re a regular player or high roller, VIP rewards in an online casino can enhance your gambling experience a lot. The more you play, the more rewards you win.
Multiple Payment Options
A decent mix of traditional and alternative payment methods is important for Indian players given the apprehension of the country’s banking system towards gambling-related transactions.
In general, a good casino site should support all or at least a majority of these payment methods:
- Bank Transfers (NEFT, IMPS)
- Debit Card and Credit card payments (VISA, Maestro, MasterCard)
- e-Wallets (via Skrill, Neteller)
- UPI (via Google Pay, Phonepe, Paytm, BHIM, etc)
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc)
Diverse Game Range
Online gambling should be about fun as much as it should be about the convenience of making a deposit or withdrawing your winnings. Always check a casino site’s selection of games before you sign up.
Choose quality over quantity. A range of top-notch, timeless real money games is any day better than a bunch of poor-quality games that just bloat the collection.
Also, as an Indian player, look for online casinos that offer games such as Teen Patti, Andar Bahar and Jhandi Munda.
Efficient Customer Support Team
The customer support team should be quick to respond, polite and efficient in resolving your issues. Avoid playing at casino sites where customer support is lackluster. If it’s difficult to reach out to them or get help, maybe they aren’t trustworthy.
Safety and Security
Does the online casino you choose have the following?
- SSL encrypted website
- Objectively audited games and operations
If the answer is yes, sign up and start playing. If it’s a no, move on to the next casino.
Easy Website Navigation
A casino might have the strongest license, the most profitable bonuses, and the best payment methods. It might have the coolest customer support and the most exciting game range.
But, it’s still a failure, in our opinion, if it cannot offer easy navigation on its website. You shouldn’t be left guessing where to find what.
The website should be free from clutter. In a nutshell, your journey from signup to deposit to withdrawal should be a cakewalk. If it’s not, abort the mission.
Is Online Casino Legal in India?
Gambling, in general, is illegal in India under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. However, online gambling hasn’t been specifically and federally banned (except in a few States). By that token, online casinos based outside India are legal since they do not come under the purview of Indian gambling law.
Is It Safe to Make Online Casino Deposits and Withdrawals?
Making deposits and withdrawals at an online casino in India is as safe as you want it to be. We strongly recommend choosing established and well-known online casinos that are licensed and regulated by reputed gambling regulators.
Such casinos safeguard players’ interests and invest heavily in creating a secure environment for online monetary transactions. Communications via their website are secured, so the information and data exchanged between them and players remain encrypted and free from unauthorized access.
However, even playing on such sites could be unsafe if you access them using public WiFi or share your login credentials with people who aren’t trustworthy.
Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that Indian banks aren’t great fans of gambling transactions. Transactions via NetBanking and debit or credit cards can be declined and accounts frozen if unusual activity is detected.
To be on the safe side, always make use of intermediary payment processors such as e-wallets, which act as a bridge between Indian and foreign banks.
Using UPI is also worthwhile as transactions through it mostly happen between holders of accounts in Indian banks rather than one in an Indian bank and the other (gambling operator) in a foreign bank.
Remember, almost all online casinos will ask for proof of identity, which is usually your ADHAAR, passport, voter ID, or PAN card. The more obvious you make that you’re earning money via gambling, the higher the risks.
Can I Win Real Money at Indian Online Casinos?
Absolutely! That’s the whole point of gambling at legit Indian online casinos. You invest real money to play games, enjoy yourself and get back your winnings in real money.
Are Casino Winnings Taxable?
In India, online casino winnings are taxed at a flat rate of 30% (roughly 31.2% after adding cess). The taxation applies regardless of the tax bracket in which the player (taxpayer) falls. No exemptions are available for this amount. Furthermore, all such earnings must be disclosed during annual tax filing.
Can You Play Real Money Casino Games for Free?
Except for live casino games, most online casinos will let you play all of their real money casino games for free in their demo mode. However, please keep in mind that playing a demo game will not allow you to win real money.
Which Are the Most Popular Casino Game Providers?
The most popular casino game providers include…
- Evolution Gaming – a leading supplier of live casino games; known for its insanely wide game range.
- Playtech – Evolution Gaming’s biggest competitor and supplier of a massive game range.
- Microgaming – creator of Mega Moolah, the highest paying progressive jackpot slot.
- Red Tiger Gaming – popular for their daily jackpot games that come with guaranteed daily jackpots (feature available only when activated by casinos).
- Big Time Gaming – pioneers of slots with “bonus buy” features and MegaWays™.
What Are the Different Types of Online Casino Bonuses?
Matched Deposit Bonus
The casino bankrolls you with an amount that matches your first deposit. Matched deposit bonuses are the most common form of online casino bonuses.
For instance, if the casino site offers a 100% match deposit bonus up to ₹10K on your first deposit and you deposit ₹500 after signing up, you will receive an extra ₹500 in your bankroll.
On the other hand, if you deposit ₹10K, you will get another ₹10K. But, even if you deposit more than ₹10K, the casino will not credit you with an amount that exceeds ₹10K.
Free Spin Bonus
The online casino grants you a specific number of Free Spins on one or more slots, which you can use to win real money without expending your own bankroll.
Like Matched Deposit Bonuses, Free Spin Bonuses are almost always tied to wagering requirements.
No Deposit Bonus
The online casino bankrolls you with a certain amount of cash or free spins without you having to deposit any money.
No Deposit Bonuses come with preset conditions, which include, but aren’t limited to, high wagering requirements. But you can’t complain when someone is handing out free cash, can you?
Loyalty (VIP) Bonuses
Casinos reward their loyal players and exclusive VIP members with Loyalty Bonuses when they reach certain milestones, complete certain missions, succeed in certain challenges, or level up in the operator’s preset loyalty program.
These bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. They can be anything from redeemable loyalty points to free spins, free cash, big deposit bonuses, generous cashbacks, and more.
High rollers benefit most from such bonuses.
Cashback
The casino gives back a certain percentage of your deposit when you play, but don’t win. Cashback Bonuses are a fantastic way of softening the blow of a loss while encouraging you to continue playing.
For instance, if an online casino offers 10% cashback on your deposit, and you spend ₹1,000 to play a certain game, which you lose, you will get back ₹100.
Cashback Bonuses are usually capped, so players receive only a certain amount no matter how much they play or lose.
While most Cashback Bonuses are based on losses, some are based on the amount you wager. This means that you get something back whether you lose or win. This type of cashback is usually not capped.
Tournament Bonuses
Casinos allow you to enter game tournaments for free or for a fee. You compete for a spot on the leaderboard as well as your share of a fixed prize pool.
The higher your score, the higher your position and the larger the prize. Rules can vary a lot from one online casino to another or one tournament to another. Some rules are fair to all players and some benefit high rollers.
Lucky Draws
The online casino rewards you with one or more tickets to their own lucky draw when you make a deposit or wager a certain amount of money.
The more tickets you receive, the higher the chances of winning a prize.
Referral Bonuses
To promote word-of-mouth marketing, certain casino sites offer Referral Bonuses through which they reward players for inviting more players.
The rewards come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from free spins to free cash.
What Is Wagering Requirement and How Does It Work?
A wagering requirement (also known as turnover or playthrough requirement) is a condition set by a casino on its bonuses that states the number of times you need to stake a claimed bonus to encash it.
For instance, let’s assume the online casino offers you a matched bonus of ₹1,000 when you deposit ₹1,000. This bonus has a wagering requirement of x30. You must now wager it up to 30 X 1000 = ₹30,000 before withdrawing any winnings from it.
Of course, wagering requirements come with more complexities, especially when they are tied to the bonus as well as the deposit amount. Explaining the intricacies is beyond the scope of this article.
However, it’s good to keep in mind that online casinos place wagering requirements to prevent bonus abuse and keep you engaged.
What Are the Most Popular Licenses for Online Casinos?
The most popular licenses for online casinos include those from Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Curacao.
MGA License
MGA-licensed casinos are obliged to do the following:
- Promote responsible gambling
- Prevent underage gambling
- Protect vulnerable people from gambling addiction
- Protect player funds
- Ensure safe deposits and withdrawals
- Audit games via third parties to ensure randomness
- Maintain compliance
- Safeguard player rights
- Resolve player disputes
- Keep gaming free from financial crime
Curacao License
Curacao-licensed casinos are regulated by authorities that hold a master license covering everything ranging from sportsbooks, slots, poker, virtual games, eSports, live games, scratch cards, lotteries, and every kind of game of chance.
The Curacao Ministry of Justice issues the master licenses, which are currently held by 4 authorities:
- Curacao eGaming — 1668/JAZ
- Antillephone — 8048/JAZ
- Gaming Curacao — 365/JAZ
- e-Management N.V. — 5536/JAZ
These authorities have the right to license and sublicense online casinos.
Although not as trusted as MGA casinos, Curacao casinos need to ensure that players receive a safe and fun gambling experience. They make use of various anti-fraud tools and products to further enhance security, especially during deposits and withdrawals.
The problem, however, is that Curacao doesn’t intervene in disputes between players and casinos. In general, it is also more difficult to verify an online casino’s Curacao license.
A good rule of thumb with Curacao is; not all Curacao casinos are dishonest, but most dishonest online casinos are Curacao licensed (or claim to be).
