🇮🇳 India · Rakeback hub
Online poker in India sits in a patchwork: most states treat poker as a game of skill (and therefore legal), three (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu in the past) have tried to restrict it. Since October 2023, the Union Budget imposed a flat 30% TDS on net winnings >₹100 plus 28% GST on the deposit amount across domestic operators — which has visibly pushed serious grinders toward international rooms.
Legal status: Poker is a game of skill under multiple High Court rulings (Karnataka 2013, Calcutta 2015). State law varies — verify your state before depositing on domestic platforms.
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Live poker in India is concentrated in Goa, where casinos operate on offshore vessels — Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk and Big Daddy spread cash and run series almost continuously. Sikkim has Casino Mahjong and Casino Sikkim. The Deltin Poker Tour (DPT) is the country's flagship tour and runs ~6 stops a year, mostly out of Goa.
INR on domestic rooms (UPI, NetBanking, cards). USD on international rooms — most accept Skrill/Neteller, and crypto (BTC/USDT) for fastest deposits and withdrawals.
Since 1 April 2023, online gaming winnings are taxed at a flat 30% TDS on net winnings under Section 115BBJ — no ₹10,000 threshold, no slab benefit. From 1 October 2023, GST of 28% is also levied on the full deposit value on domestic platforms. International operators sit outside GST but Indian residents are still liable for 30% income tax on declared winnings.
Yes in most states — poker is recognised as a game of skill under multiple High Court rulings. A handful of states restrict it; check your state's gaming law.
30% TDS is deducted at source on net winnings from online gaming (Section 115BBJ). Domestic platforms also charge 28% GST on deposits since October 2023.
Yes — both accept Indian players on their international platforms. Crypto and Skrill are the most reliable deposit rails.
Goa (Deltin Royale, Big Daddy, Deltin Jaqk) is the main hub. Sikkim is a smaller secondary scene.
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