India’s national online gaming framework
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 addresses online money games, their promotion and related financial transactions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology publishes the Act and 2026 notifications on its official website.
A government statement dated 18 March 2026 describes a prohibition on online money games, including games of chance and skill, and on their advertising and facilitation. A foreign casino licence does not itself authorise a service for Indian residents.
What this means for a Diwali search
A casino website can display rupee balances, Indian imagery or a festival promotion without establishing that the service is authorised for India. An affiliate page, a “trusted app” label or a listed UPI method is not a legal assessment.
We do not list a confirmed, legally available Indian Diwali casino promotion. International promotional headlines are identified as examples for reading terms. A festival does not create an exception to the applicable rules.
Free play and social games
A virtual-credit demonstration is different from a deposit-based money game, but a demo’s existence does not verify a real-money operator. Read the relevant rules and avoid attempts to bypass provider restrictions.
For a Diwali gathering, choose games with no paid entry, no cash stakes and no redeemable prizes. The card-party guide offers a starting point for a social evening.
Check the official sources
This page is a general summary, not an individual legal opinion. Laws, rules and their application can change. Use the official publications and seek qualified local advice for a specific situation.