Madhya Pradesh Gambling Laws

Also called the “Center of India,” Madhya Pradesh is one of India’s largest states and is also one that has taken the Public Gambling Act, 1867 to heart.

These are laws that rule in all of India unless a state has decided to create specific gambling laws of its own.

The 1867 Act states that gambling as such is illegal. But what it fails to mention is online gambling, which is why you can gamble from Madhya Pradesh hassle-free.

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 Madhya Pradesh

As mentioned, online gambling is not mentioned in the Public Gambling Act, making casino gambling online a law-free activity.

That said, online casinos and gambling houses based in India still have to obey local law, and anyone gambling here will, as a result, be susceptible to the punishment attached to gambling at such venues.

Therefore, gambling at an online casino site based outside of India will mean that you are using a service not bound by Indian law and is therefore not gambling illegally. There have even been some big winners from Madhya Pradesh proving that it is possible to play.

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The view of gambling in Madhya Pradesh follows that of India as a whole, which means that all games of chance are illegal, while some games of skill are allowed.

In this instance, the games of skill are mainly referred to as horse betting and Rummy, although the latter has received conflicting notions as to which version of Rummy is allowed and not.

The only forms of legal gambling one can participate in locally, are horse racing and state lottery draws.

Gambling Laws in Madhya Pradesh

There are mainly two sets of gambling laws in MP, the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and the M.P Lottery Pratibandh Act, 1993.

The generic Indian gambling law states that gambling in gaming houses is illegal. A gaming house is a broad definition that can include any space where several people meet to gamble or place bets in any shape or form.

The lottery act clarifies that no private person or company is allowed to organize lotteries. Hence, only the state-owned lottery can offer this service.

Casino in Bhopal

The safest way to gamble from Bhopal is to gamble online. Not only are you guaranteed fair games, but you can also use secure and fast payment methods like Paytm and Google Pay.

We strongly advise against seeking illegal gaming houses, as these are susceptible to police raids such as the one in Jabalpur where 60 people were arrested.

Casino in Indore

Indore is yet another large city in Madhya Pradesh where online gambling is recommended. In 2013, 30 people were arrested in police raids, showing that gambling illegally comes with great risk.

The online casino sites that we list here at SevenJackpots all accept players from India. Therefore, since they aren’t located within Indian borders, they don’t count as illegal establishments either.

Lottery in Madhya Pradesh

As one of the thirteen Indian lottery states, Madhya Pradesh has a local lottery, specifically under the M.P Lottery Pratibandh Act, 1993.

The Public Gambling Act of India allows each state to set its own rules regarding lotteries. And Madhya Pradesh has done just that.

You can buy lottery tickets from any of the many lottery booths scattered across the state, should you wish to play the local lottery.

That said, larger lottery draws from big lotteries from all over the world are readily available at online lottery sites.

There is no need to check lottery results at the ticket booth or in the newspaper; just log in, buy tickets. And instantly check results online.

Sports betting in Madhya Pradesh

Since the state of MP is home to three large Cricket Stadiums; the Nehru Stadium, Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, and Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior, betting on Cricket is big here. Illegal, but big.

One betting racket of nine was arrested in October 2020 for betting on the IPL. And there is constantly more illegal betting happening in great secrecy away from the police.

Offshore online sports betting sites offer a much safer way of betting on sports, even the IPL. As these sites are not bound by Indian law.

Horse racing in Madhya Pradesh

Many successful horse breeders are located in Madhya Pradesh, and betting on horse racing here is legal.

Most bettors will place bets via local bookies for races in other states like Jaipur and Bengaluru.

It’s not possible to place bets on Indian horse racing via online sites. Thus, as legal betting has to be done within a controlled area, like a betting shop.

However, bets on larger horse racing events are available via online sportsbook sites located outside India.

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

Some say that Rummy is specified as a game of skill and is therefore legal. Meaning that you should be able to play without issues in Madhya Pradesh.

From our research and experience, we would save card games for Diwali, and only play with friends and family.

If card games still excite you and you want to gamble. Use the live casino section at an online casino site.

Here you can find Andar Bahar games, real money Teen Patti, Baccarat, and more, available and completely legal.

To sum it up

Indian players located in Madhya Pradesh can easily gamble by doing so at online casinos based outside of India.

The gambling landscape in the state has been stable in the last few years with no sign of it changing. Which means that you can continue to explore offshore gambling sites.

Feel free to make use of the local government lottery if you wish. But know that much larger lottery draws are happening online every day.

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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