Is Poker Legal in India? Complete Legal Status 2026 Guide

Is poker legal in India? The answer in 2026 is: domestic online poker platforms are banned under PROGA, physical poker at licensed Goa casinos is legal, and offshore online poker is accessible to Indian players. Before PROGA entered force on May 1, 2026, poker's legal status in India was more complicated than almost any other game — courts in different states reached different conclusions, and the patchwork of state-level rulings created a mosaic of protection and prohibition. This guide covers the complete legal history and current status.

Poker's Pre-PROGA Legal History in India

Unlike rummy, which had a clear national Supreme Court ruling (1968) classifying it as a skill game, poker's status was determined by a series of inconsistent state-level court decisions. The Calcutta High Court ruled in 2015 that poker is a game of skill under West Bengal gambling law. The Karnataka High Court reached different conclusions on similar questions. West Bengal actually passed the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competition (Amendment) Act 2021, which explicitly included poker as a skill game and created a licensing framework for poker clubs in the state. This was one of India's only explicit state-level legal frameworks for poker, and it was subsequently covered by PROGA's national override.

The Poker Sports League, a nationally televised poker tournament series, and platforms like Adda52 and PokerBaazi operated under the general skill-game doctrine. Adda52 was India's largest domestic poker platform. For context on poker's international development as a recognised skill sport, see Wikipedia's Poker article.

How PROGA Ended Domestic Online Poker

PROGA's prohibition on all real-money online gaming without a Central Gaming Licence explicitly abolished the skill vs. chance distinction. This overrode the Calcutta High Court ruling, the West Bengal 2021 amendment, and all other state-level skill-game protections for online poker. Adda52, PokerBaazi, and all other domestic online poker platforms shut down real-money operations on May 1, 2026. The Poker Sports League was also affected insofar as online participation involved real-money staking.

Physical Poker in Goa — Remains Legal

Physical poker tables at licensed Goa casinos remain entirely legal and unaffected by PROGA. Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk, Casino Pride, and other licensed Goa casino ships offer poker tables including Texas Hold'em and other variants. These physical casino poker operations are regulated by the Goa government under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. PROGA's domestic online operator prohibition does not extend to licensed physical casino operations. Goa's casino poker is the only domestically legal high-stakes poker in India in 2026.

Offshore Online Poker for Indian Players

Offshore online poker platforms registered outside India offer Texas Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and other variants to Indian players. These platforms are not domestic operators subject to PROGA's licensing requirement. Indian players access them via the internet with UPI deposits for buy-ins. Cash game tables run 24/7 at micro, low, medium, and high stakes. Multi-table tournament schedules include daily guaranteed prize pool tournaments and Sunday major events. For the full UPI deposit guide, see our UPI deposit gaming guide.

Tax on Poker Winnings in India

Poker winnings from both physical Goa casinos and offshore online platforms are taxable in India. Section 194B covers prize money from games including casino gambling: 30% TDS on any prize above ₹10,000 paid by an Indian casino. Goa casinos deduct TDS before paying out large prizes. Offshore online poker platforms do not deduct TDS — players must self-declare all net winnings in their ITR under Schedule OS. For complete guidance, see our TDS on online gaming winnings India guide.