The short answer
Rules are set state by state, and the 2025 Act applies across India. The Act's penalties are aimed mainly at those who offer, advertise or process payments for online money games, not at individual players. State laws may still apply to you as a player.
Take legal advice before you open or use any betting account.
The Online Gaming Act, 2025
Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act in August 2025. It separates online money games from esports and social games, and treats them very differently.
- It bans offering and advertising online money games.
- It stops banks and payment providers from processing payments for them.
- It promotes esports and social games that don't involve money stakes.
An online money game is one where you pay money hoping to win money or other rewards, whether the result depends on skill, chance or both. That definition covers online sports betting.
State gambling laws
Under the Constitution, betting and gambling are state subjects. Many states follow the Public Gambling Act, 1867 or their own version of it. That law was written long before online betting and doesn't mention it directly.
| State | Position |
|---|---|
| Telangana | Bans online betting and gaming for money |
| Andhra Pradesh | Bans online betting and gaming for money |
| Goa, Sikkim and Daman | Allow certain licensed casinos |
| Most other states | Follow the Public Gambling Act, 1867 or their own version, written before online betting existed |
Games of skill vs games of chance
The Supreme Court held in 1968 that rummy is mainly a game of skill, and in 1996 that betting on horse racing involves substantial skill. For years this distinction decided what was allowed.
It matters much less for online play now, because the 2025 Act covers money games of skill and chance alike.
What the Curaçao licence does and doesn't mean
King Exchange is operated by Moon Technologies B.V. under licence OGL/2023/111/0069 from the Curaçao Gaming Control Board. That licence sets the standards the operator has to meet.
It's issued in Curaçao, not India, so it doesn't decide whether online betting is legal where you live. Indian central and state law still applies to you.
Tax on betting winnings
30%
Flat tax on winnings under Section 115BBJ, plus surcharge and cess. Tax may be deducted at source under Section 194BA.
Those section numbers come from the Income-tax Act, 1961. A new Income-tax Act took effect in April 2026 and may number them differently, so confirm the current rules with a tax adviser.
What this means for you
- Check your state's law before you use any online betting account, King Exchange included.
- If online betting isn't allowed where you live, don't play.
- You must be 18 or over, and you may hold only one account, in your own name.
- Only bet what you can afford to lose.
Need to set limits or take a break? Our responsible gaming tools include deposit limits and self-exclusion.