Gujarat Gambling Laws

Gujarat’s gambling laws are, just like the Public Gambling Act in the country, created over a century ago. The laws in Gujarat are very clear when it comes to gambling; all forms are forbidden if done outside or at a gaming house.

However, as with many other Indian states, there’s an exception to betting on horse racing.

This guide will take you through the do’s and don’ts of gambling in this state, as there are ways you can do this completely legally.

Surbhi Soni Senior Associate at Touchstone Partners

Audited by Surbhi Soni

Senior Associate at Law Firm Touchstone Partners

Last audit on 12th April 2022

How to gamble from Gujarat

Since the gambling laws in the state of Gujarat were created in 1887, we’re sure that you’ve already figured out its flaws.

Obviously, in 1887, there were no computers, internet, or mobile phones. And as a result, the law does not mention online gambling.

In other words, you’re able to gamble online with little to no risk of experiencing legal trouble for doing so.

Now, keep in mind that even online casinos, if physically run from within the state, will be considered illegal, so you’ll want to choose a casino with its headquarters outside of India for the least amount of risk.

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According to the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887, gambling as such is not legal. This means that you will not find any casinos or gaming houses to play at.

But not to worry, there are thousands of casino and live casino games available at offshore online casino sites!

Simply by opting to play at one of these sites, you are not only minimizing any risk of gambling, but you are also ensuring fair gameplay and that your investment is handled with care. That said, gambling is still gambling, so gamble at your own risk.

The Indian online casino sites listed here at SevenJackpots have been thoroughly tested by us to ensure they are safe, fair, and offer a top-notch gambling experience. Just pick one of the top casinos listed here and start playing.

Gambling Laws in Gujarat

To be very specific, the laws of Gujarat are stated by the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887.

However, this act was amended to include the whole state of Gujarat in 1960, and it has been amended for this state four times since.

Although the Act does not mention online gambling, the Gujarat High Court has appealed to the government to review that fact and amend the law to include online gambling.

Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887

The Gambling Act of Gujarat forbids gambling or being located within illegal venues such as those considered gaming houses.

Organizing gambling or holding a gaming house risks imprisonment for a minimum of three months for first-time offenders plus a minimum of ₹500 fine, up to one year in prison, and a minimum of ₹2,000 fine for third-time offenders.

Persons found gambling or present at an illegal venue risk at least two months in jail and a ₹300 fine for a first-time offense, while a third-time offender risks at least nine months imprisonment and at least ₹300 fine.

Casino in Ahmedabad

If you wish to play casino in Ahmedabad, our suggestion is to seek out an online casino that suits your preference.

Today, you can find various casino sites offering traditional live card games like Teen Patti and Andar Bahar.

You can play the games from your computer or mobile phone, all you need is a decent internet connection and some rupees.

Casino in Surat

Like Ahmedabad, there are no local legal ways to play casino in Surat. Your best bet is to play at an online casino based outside of India.

That said, Surat has a great geographical location for those who wish to travel for gambling.

The territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are located a few hours south of the city, and here, gambling is legal with licensed vendors.

Lottery in Gujarat

Unfortunately, Gujarat is not amongst the thirteen states that allow state lotteries to be offered. To pick numbers for the chance of massive lottery wins, you will have to purchase online lottery tickets.

Thankfully, there are quite a few online lotteries in Gujarat to choose from, and they enable you to buy lottery tickets for some of the biggest draws in the world.

Sports betting in Gujarat

Sports betting is another thing that falls under games of chance within the state, which automatically places it under the same rules and laws as casino gambling.

Just like with card games or table games, betting on anything from sports to how much it’s going to rain during the monsoon season can get you jailed and fined.

Play it safe and choose a foreign online sportsbook for sports betting.

Horse racing in Gujarat

There’s a rather lax view on horse racing in India when it comes to betting as the sport is, in fact, considered a game of skill.

Most states allow betting on horses for this reason, as long as the bets are placed either at the horse racing track or with a licensed bookie.

In Gujarat, horse racing is not very big, and the primary local races are organized for Kutchi Sindi horses.

Status on Rummy, Poker, Flush, and other card games

Unsurprisingly, any card game that is played involving real money bets also falls under the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling law. The only time that card games are deemed to be “legal” is during Diwali, or when skill card games are played without money involved.

It’s important to know that police have the right to enter your home if they suspect people are gambling there, so be safe and only play online using offshore casino sites, even if you are playing with friends.

To sum it up

Gujarat is a pretty “standard” state when it comes to gambling and gambling law. Thankfully, the laws are archaic, which leaves us with plenty of freedom to enjoy gambling online.

Not only will you be able to enjoy all the classic casino games, but you are also protected by strong SSL encryption when using online payment methods such as Paytm and Google Pay.

Online casinos also care about your well-being, so you can make use of a variety of tools that will help you keep your gambling under control.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information only and is not intended as legal advice and no duty of care is owed to any reader. The readers of this material are requested to engage their own legal counsel in order to make any legal or business decisions and to obtain legal advice specific to them.

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