Evolution and Characteristics of Poker in India
Poker, a popular card game that requires strategy and skill, has found a niche in India, a country known for its passion for traditional card games. In a nation of over 1.2 billion people, spread across 29 states and 7 union territories, the legal status of poker varies significantly.
Historically, gambling in India was restricted to cruise liners sailing major rivers and three states: Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. However, the landscape has changed, with poker gaining recognition as a "game of skill." This distinction, made in court by lawyers, has paved the way for the operation of dedicated poker clubs in cities like Bangalore and Kolkata.
Poker Clubs Across India
Goa, often referred to as India's Las Vegas, leads the way in poker clubs. The state has more than 10 land-based casinos and 4 floating casinos, including the prestigious Deltin casinos, which house the largest and most prestigious poker rooms in the country, such as the Royale Poker Room. With 20 tables on the second floor of the Deltin Royale ship, the largest vessel on the Mandovi River, the Royale Poker Room is the largest poker room in India.
In addition to Goa, the northeastern city of Gangtok (state of Sikkim) also boasts two poker clubs attached to casinos. The Pride Poker Room, located on the first floor of the Pride casino, is another popular poker club.
Bangalore, the tech hub of India, has dedicated poker rooms at the Indian Poker Association, The Golden Aces Poker Room, Rockets Poker Room, Andyz Fish & Chips, and The Poker Lounge. In Kolkata, there is The Amator Poker Room.
The Legal Status of Poker Clubs
The legal status of poker clubs in India varies significantly across states. In Karnataka (which includes Bangalore), the recent Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2025, explicitly bans all games of chance involving real money, such as online gambling and betting. However, it permits games of skill like poker, indicating that poker clubs operating on a skill-based format might be legal, while gambling on games of chance is prohibited.
Goa, on the other hand, has long allowed casino gambling, including poker clubs. Poker is widely recognized as a game of skill and is legally played in casinos in the state.
In Kolkata (West Bengal) and Gangtok (Sikkim), gambling laws are more restrictive or ambiguous. West Bengalโs gambling laws generally prohibit betting and gambling, and there is no clear legal framework explicitly permitting live poker clubs. Sikkim allows some regulated online gambling and casinos, but live poker club legality in Gangtok is less clear and likely limited due to the smaller gambling infrastructure.
Notable Indian Poker Players
India has produced some notable poker players. Aditya Agarwal, who won nearly $600,000 in live tournaments and participated in the World Series this summer, was recently added to PokerStars' team. Vivek Rajkumar, known as the best tournament player from India with $4,427,668 in earnings, is another prominent figure in the Indian poker scene.
Online Poker in India
While online gambling sites face bans, with India blocking over 1,500 illegal gambling sites between 2022 and June 2025, poker as a skill game is often tolerated or permitted in states like Karnataka and Goa, especially in regulated settings such as licensed clubs or casinos. Enforcement actions are heavily focused on illegal and online betting/gambling operations, not skill-based poker entities.
In summary, while the legal status of poker clubs in India varies across states, poker as a skill game is often tolerated or permitted in select states like Karnataka and Goa, especially in regulated settings such as licensed clubs or casinos. The enforcement focus remains on cracking down on illegal betting while distinguishing poker as a legal skill-based game in certain states.
I'm playing poker at The Poker Lounge in Bangalore, a dedicated poker room that operates under the skill-based format, which is legal in Karnataka according to the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2025. In Goa, I could be playing at the Royale Poker Room, the largest in India, situated on the second floor of the Deltin Royale ship.
