Is cricket betting legal in India?

Betting laws in India are complex due to the mix of outdated central legislation and varied state regulations.

The Public Gambling Act, 1867 broadly prohibits public betting, with exceptions for horse racing and state lotteries.

Gambling regulation falls under the State List, so legality varies: Goa and Sikkim allow licensed casinos and online gaming; Nagaland permits regulated games of skill; most other states ban betting.

Online betting remains a legal grey area. Platforms like Dream11 are legal as games of skill, but betting on cricket is generally considered a game of chance and is mostly illegal, except where state law specifically permits.