Table of Contents
The Complete State-Wise Table
Each row shows the state, its current position for real-money online rummy, and the statute that governs it. Where we have a detailed guide, the state name links to it.
| State | Status (2026) | Governing law |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | ⛔ Restricted | Andhra Pradesh Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2020 |
| Assam | ⛔ Restricted | Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970 |
| Delhi | ✅ Generally permitted | Delhi Public Gambling Act, 1955 |
| Gujarat | ⚠️ Unsettled | Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 |
| Karnataka | ✅ Generally permitted | Karnataka Police Act, 1963 (as amended 2021) |
| Kerala | ✅ Generally permitted | Kerala Gaming Act, 1960 |
| Madhya Pradesh | ✅ Generally permitted | Madhya Pradesh Public Gambling Act, 1867 (as adapted) |
| Maharashtra | ✅ Generally permitted | Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 |
| Nagaland | 📋 Licensed regime | Nagaland Online Games of Skill Act, 2015 |
| Odisha | ⛔ Restricted | Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955 |
| Punjab | ✅ Generally permitted | Public Gambling Act, 1867 (as applied in Punjab) |
| Rajasthan | ✅ Generally permitted | Rajasthan Public Gambling Ordinance, 1949 |
| Sikkim | 📋 Licensed regime | Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008 |
| Tamil Nadu | ⚠️ Heavily regulated | TN Prohibition of Online Gambling Act, 2022 + TNOGA rules 2025 |
| Telangana | ⛔ Restricted | Telangana Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2017 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ✅ Generally permitted | Public Gambling Act, 1867 (as applied in UP) |
| West Bengal | ✅ Generally permitted | West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957 |
States not listed apply the Public Gambling Act, 1867 or a close state equivalent, each carrying the games-of-skill exemption in Section 12. Positions change through amendments and court rulings — verify before depositing.
Why the Answer Changes by State
Gambling sits in Entry 34 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which means each state legislates for itself. The national baseline comes from the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Andhra Pradesh v. K. Satyanarayana (1968), which held that rummy is not a game of pure chance because it demands memory and skill in building sequences.
That precedent protects rummy from ordinary gambling prohibitions — but it does not stop a state from writing a new law that specifically covers online games for stakes. Several have tried. Karnataka and Kerala both passed bans that their High Courts struck down. Tamil Nadu passed one, lost in court, and replaced it with heavy regulation instead. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana wrote prohibitions that still stand.
The Four Restricted States
- Telangana — the Gaming (Amendment) Act 2017 removed the skill exemption entirely. The clearest prohibition in the country.
- Andhra Pradesh — the 2020 amendment extended the gambling ban to online games played for money.
- Assam — the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970 contains no general skill-game exemption, so stakes-based play falls inside the prohibition.
- Odisha — the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955 likewise lacks the skill carve-out.
In all four, compliant national platforms geo-block deposits and cash tables. Free-play formats without stakes remain unaffected.
Tamil Nadu: Permitted but Heavily Regulated
Tamil Nadu deserves its own note because it is neither banned nor free. The Madras High Court struck down the state’s prohibition as applied to skill games, but the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority now enforces Aadhaar-based KYC, blocks real-money play between midnight and 5 AM, and requires deposit-limit prompts. Several national platforms geo-block the state rather than build TN-specific compliance. Full detail: Is Online Rummy Legal in Tamil Nadu?
Tax Is the Same Everywhere
Whatever your state permits, the central tax position is fixed:
| Provision | What it does |
|---|---|
| Section 194BA | Platform withholds 30% TDS on net winnings at each withdrawal and at year end |
| Section 115BBJ | Fixes the final rate at a flat 30% — no slab benefit, no deductions |
| 28% GST | Applies to deposits, built into platform pricing |
Net winnings = total withdrawals minus total deposits for the financial year. You are not taxed on getting your own money back. Compute your take-home with the free TDS calculator, or read the full tax guide.
How to Check Your Own Position
- Find your state above and read the linked guide for the governing Act.
- Check whether the platform accepts you. A compliant operator geo-blocks restricted states — if one takes your deposit from Telangana or Andhra Pradesh, that tells you something about the operator.
- Re-check after any news of amendments or rulings. This area moves through both legislation and litigation.
- Verify the app before installing — the 9-point checklist covers signature, permissions and payment checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Most of India permits real-money rummy as a game of skill; four states restrict it; one regulates it tightly; two license it. Find your state, read its governing Act, confirm your platform serves you, and account for the flat 30% tax from the start. That sequence answers the question properly — and it is worth repeating whenever you move state or a new amendment lands.
