Legal Status of Online Betting in India: What Changed in 2025

Online betting in India has always been a murky legal area. While some forms of gambling, such as horse racing and lotteries, have been governed, online betting — especially on sports — lacked nationwide guidelines. Nevertheless, the legal stance on online betting in India underwent considerable changes in 2025, impacting platforms like Rajabets and raja bet and reshaping the landscape for many users.

This piece explores what transformed in 2025, the consequences of these reforms, and how platforms like Rajabets are adapting to the new legal setting.

Background: The Pre-2025 Situation
Before 2025, India’s gambling regulations were mostly dictated by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, a colonial-era law that outlawed most types of public gambling. However, this law did not anticipate the internet or mobile apps. Consequently, online betting platforms, including raja bet, existed in a regulatory void.

While states such as Sikkim and Nagaland introduced local licenses for online betting, most Indian states had no specific framework. This let international platforms serve Indian users without formal supervision. Users enjoyed access to cricket betting, casino games, and other online gambling formats, but the lack of legal certainty always carried a risk.

The Catalyst for Legal Reform in 2025
Multiple elements motivated the Indian government to finally address the status of online betting in 2025:

• Rising User Base: Platforms like Rajabets witnessed rapid growth, especially during IPL and cricket World Cups. Millions of Indians were betting online, sparking calls for regulation and consumer protection.
• Revenue Opportunity: The Indian government recognized that taxing online betting could generate considerable revenue. With GST collections under pressure, regulating this sector became financially appealing.
• Technological Hurdles: Illegal apps and fraud were increasing. Without regulation, consumers had little legal recourse if they were swindled or deceived by offshore platforms.
• Supreme Court Involvement: In late 2024, the Supreme Court requested the Centre to clarify its position on online betting. This compelled the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to suggest reforms.

What Changed in 2025?
In early 2025, the Indian Parliament passed the Digital Gambling Regulation Act (DGRA), a pivotal legislation aimed at regulating online betting across the country. Here's what the new law implemented:

1. National Licensing Authority
A centralized licensing authority was established under MeitY. All betting platforms, including Rajabets, must now register and acquire a license to legally operate in India.

2. Taxation Structure
All registered platforms are subject to a standardized GST of 28% on betting revenue. This aided the government in formalizing the sector while earning significant tax revenue.

3. User Verification
Rigorous Know-Your-Customer (KYC) norms were enforced. Platforms like raja bet now require Aadhaar or PAN verification to onboard new users, reducing fraud and underage gambling.

4. Limits on Betting Activities
The law clearly differentiates between skill-based and chance-based betting. Sports like cricket and horse racing are allowed under strict conditions, while games of pure chance like roulette or slots face more rigorous scrutiny.

5. State Autonomy Preserved
States can still choose to opt out. For instance, states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat opted to ban online betting entirely, while states like Goa and Sikkim embraced the new regulations.

How Rajabets and Raja Bet Are Responding
With the new law in effect, platforms like Rajabets and raja bet have significantly altered their operations. Here’s how they are adapting:

• Compliance Upgrades: Rajabets has updated its user interface to align with the new KYC and tax guidelines. It now displays real-time betting limits and responsible gambling alerts.
• Localization: Since states have the option to regulate differently, Rajabets now provides geo-targeted services that restrict access in banned states while offering localized language support in compliant regions.
• Marketing Approach: Raja bet has started promoting responsible gambling through influencer partnerships and educational content, aligning with the government's public awareness efforts.
• Secure Transactions: With RBI-backed payment gateways now accessible to licensed platforms, deposits and withdrawals have become more straightforward and safer for users.

The Impact on Users
For Indian users, the 2025 changes bring several advantages and obligations:

• Safer Platforms: Licensing guarantees that platforms like Rajabets follow fair practices and provide secure gaming experiences.
• Clear Tax Implications: Winnings above a particular threshold are now taxable and automatically reported. While this signifies less anonymity, it brings online betting into the formal economy.
• Access to Support: With legal oversight, users can now file complaints and receive support through official grievance redressal mechanisms.

However, users also encounter stricter monitoring. Betting anonymously through VPNs or unregistered apps may now incur penalties.

Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the progress, difficulties remain. Unlicensed apps still function illegally, often based overseas. Enforcement mechanisms need to be strengthened to effectively block such platforms. Moreover, discussions persist around whether betting should be promoted in a country with a large population vulnerable to addiction.

Nevertheless, the 2025 reforms represent a landmark shift. With platforms like raja bet and Rajabets spearheading the way in compliance and user experience, the Indian online betting ecosystem is poised for expansion — with safety, legality, and transparency at its core.

Conclusion
The legal status of online betting in India saw a significant transformation in 2025 with the implementation of the Digital Gambling Regulation Act. This brought clarity, structure, and legality to a swiftly growing sector. Platforms like Rajabets and raja bet, previously operating in a legal grey area, are now part of a regulated, safer betting environment. As India continues to evolve its stance on online gaming, responsible user behavior and strict platform compliance will shape the future of digital betting in the country.