Gujarat Gambling Laws 2024: How to Play Legally?
By Anthony
Gujarat joins many Indian states that strictly prohibit all forms of gambling, especially gambling in casinos, according to The Indian Public Gambling Act voted in 1857. Luckily, Gujarat gambling laws 2024 didn’t change, meaning that the law wasn’t updated once the era of the internet and online gambling became a reality.
Is Gambling Legal in Gujarat?
Gambling is strictly prohibited in Gujarat under the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act 1887. Casinos and bookmakers don’t legally exist in Gujarat. If you want to play casino games, you can do so through offshore online casinos or illegally in outlawed places. You can also visit other states where gambling is legal. But let’s be serious! Who would travel to another state for gambling?
In theory and in the law, gambling is illegal in Gujarat. But in practice, online gambling is not covered by the law just yet. So, online gambling is outside the jurisdiction of any laws.
Gujarat Gambling Laws
Gambling laws in Gujarat are derived from the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act of 1887. In 1960, the law was amended to include the entire state of Gujarat. Online gambling stays in a grey loophole because it’s not mentioned in the law. But it’s clearly stated that all casinos based in India are illegal.
However, the Gujarat High Court has called for changes to the law to include online gambling on the restricted gambling list.
Gambling Laws in Gujarat and the Fines
The law prohibits all forms of gambling in illegal venues such as casinos. If you are caught breaking the law, you will be fined and jailed. There are corresponding sanctions for organizers of illegal gambling. For the first offence, the penalty is ₹500 and at least three months in prison. For consecutive offences, you will be required to pay a fine of ₹2,000 and up to one year in prison.
There are also sanctions for players, gamblers or any other person present in a casino during a raid.
How to Gamble from Gujarat?
Gujarat gambling laws 2024 are very strict when it comes to gambling in a real casino or when it happens in the public domain.
Online casinos are the green light for all gambling lovers because you can play and bet on online sports betting sites as long as these sites are outside Indian jurisdiction.
Sports Betting in Gujarat
Sports betting remains illegal under the Gujarat gambling laws 2024, except for horse and dog racing. If you are a sports bettor, you can only do it online.
There are plenty of offshore online casinos with impressive sports betting portfolios. You can easily place bets on these sports betting sites and stand a chance to win huge bonuses.
Horse Racing in Gujarat
What does the Gujarat Gambling Act say about horse racing? Gujarat gambling laws are not considering horse racing as illegal. It allows horse racing only if it’s conducted through a licensed bookmaker or at an authorized racecourse. This is possible because horse racing is considered a game of skill.
Gujarat Lottery in 2024
Only 13 states in India allow lotteries, and Gujarat is not one of them. Again, your next best bet for a lottery experience is online casinos and lottery sites. They give you the chance to enter international lottery draws that will give you huge prizes.
Table and Card Games in Gujarat
As stated in the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, exchanging money for table games is considered gambling. During Diwali, however, card games are legal only if you play them at home without betting money
But, since table and card games are very popular among online gaming, you can enjoy playing them online in a casino that is not based in India. You must exercise caution to ensure your safety. Gambling laws have many loopholes, and as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
Gujarat is one of the states in India that strictly enforces the national public gambling laws. To put it mildly, the law is outdated and you are free to gamble online as long as online casinos and sports betting sites are located outside India.
January 23, 2022
