by Online gambling has become hugely popular in India as more people get smartphones and affordable internet.
Stake.com is a big name in online gambling that offers casino games and sports betting, often using cryptocurrency.
If you’re in India and want to try Stake, you’ve probably heard different things about whether it’s legal.
The question “is Stake banned in India?” doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer because of India’s complicated gambling laws.
The confusion comes from India’s unique legal system, where gambling rules are mainly a state matter rather than controlled by the central government.
This creates a mix of rules that are very different from one state to another. Some states have completely banned online gambling, while others are less clear, creating a legal gray area where platforms like Stake operate.
Is Stake Banned in India?
This guide will help you understand Stake’s legal status in India in 2025. We’ll look at the laws, state-specific rules, and practical things to consider if you’re interested in using Stake.
Is Stake Banned In India: The Truth
The truth about Stake’s legal status in India is more complicated than just “banned” or “not banned”:
Most Indian states fall into a legal gray area when it comes to online gambling platforms like Stake. If you’re 21 years of age or older (or whatever the legal gambling age is in your state) and don’t live in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, technically, nothing is stopping you from accessing Stake.
These two states—Andhra Pradesh and Telangana—have explicitly banned all forms of online gambling involving real money. If you live in either of these states, using Stake would be illegal under state law.
Stake and similar platforms can operate in most Indian states because of a legal technicality. India’s gambling laws were written before the internet existed, and the Information Technology Act of 2000 doesn’t specifically mention online gambling. This legal gap creates room for offshore gambling platforms to serve Indian customers.
Important disclaimer: Even though Stake may be technically accessible in most Indian states, gambling itself is generally discouraged. The legal situation is always changing, and what’s allowed today might be banned tomorrow. If you choose to use Stake or any gambling platform, you should:
- Always check your local state laws before signing up
- Play responsibly and within your means
- Understand that you do so at your own risk
Is Stake Legal In India?
The legality of Stake in India depends on a complex web of laws that vary by state. To understand Stake’s legal status, we need to look at several key aspects of India’s gambling laws.
India’s main gambling law is the Public Gambling Act of 1867—a colonial-era law that prohibits operating or visiting gambling houses. However, this law was created more than 150 years ago and doesn’t address online gambling at all.
Since gambling falls under state jurisdiction according to the Indian Constitution, states have the power to create their own gambling laws. This has created a patchwork of regulations across the country:
- States with strict bans: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have changed their laws to explicitly ban all forms of online gambling, including platforms like Stake.
- States with partial restrictions: Some states allow games of skill but ban games of chance.
- States with unclear laws: Many states haven’t updated their gambling laws to specifically address online platforms.
The legal classification of games as “skill” or “chance” further complicates matters. The Supreme Court of India has ruled that games where skill is more important than chance are not considered gambling. However, most casino games on Stake would likely be classified as games of chance.
Recent attempts by states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to ban online gambling were struck down by their respective High Courts on constitutional grounds, highlighting the ongoing legal battles in this area.
Why does this matter to you? If you’re in a state with explicit bans like Telangana or Andhra Pradesh, using Stake would violate state law. For residents of other states, the legal risk is less clear but still present.
Why Is Stake Not Working In India?
If you’re having trouble accessing Stake in India, there could be several reasons:
- State-specific bans: If you live in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh, Stake may be blocking your access based on your IP address, as these states have explicitly banned online gambling.
- ISP blocks: Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in India may block access to gambling websites based on government directions or their policies. This isn’t consistent across all providers or regions.
- Mirror site access: Many Indian users report being unable to access the main Stake.com domain but find success with Stake’s mirror site “stake.bet.” This alternative domain often works when the main site is blocked.
- Banking restrictions: Even if you can access the site, you might face difficulties with deposits and withdrawals. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has implemented restrictions that can prevent Indian banks and payment processors from processing transactions with known gambling websites.
- Technical issues: Sometimes, access problems may be due to temporary technical glitches rather than legal restrictions.
If you’re facing access issues but are not in a state with explicit bans, you might want to:
- Try accessing the site’s mirror domain (stake.bet)
- Check if your ISP is blocking the site
- Consider using cryptocurrency for transactions if regular payment methods aren’t working
- Check for any new regulations your state may have recently implemented
What Countries Is Stake Illegal In?
Stake isn’t just restricted to certain Indian states—it’s also banned or limited in many countries worldwide. Understanding global restrictions provides context for India’s approach to regulating the platform.
Countries and regions where Stake is illegal or restricted:
| Region | Restricted Countries |
|---|---|
| North America | USA (except New Jersey residents) |
| South America | Colombia, Cuba, Curaçao |
| Africa | Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Zimbabwe |
| Europe | Austria, Belgium, Belarus, UK, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Middle East | Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Syria |
| Asia | Pakistan, North Korea |
| Australasia | Australia |
This extensive list shows that many countries have taken a stricter approach to regulating Stake than India has at the national level. These restrictions typically stem from:
- Licensing requirements: Many countries require gambling operators to obtain local licenses
- Cryptocurrency regulations: Some countries restrict crypto gambling specifically
- Consumer protection concerns: Nations with strict gambling regulations often cite the protection of vulnerable people
- Tax collection issues: Offshore gambling sites may not contribute to local tax revenue
In comparison, India’s approach at the national level remains relatively permissive, with restrictions primarily coming from individual states rather than the central government.
How To Use Stake In India?
If you’ve determined that using Stake is not prohibited in your state, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access and use the platform.
Remember that this information is provided for educational purposes only, and you should always comply with your local laws.
Steps to set up a Stake account in India:
- Step 1: Create an account
- Visit the Stake website (stake.com or stake.bet if the main site is unavailable)
- Click on the “Register” or “Sign Up” button
- Enter your email address and create a strong password
- Accept the terms and conditions after reading them carefully
- Step 2: Complete the verification process
- Stake follows Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols
- You’ll need to verify your identity by providing:
- A government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
- Confirmation of your date of birth
- Step 3: Set up a payment method
- Stake supports multiple payment options for Indian users:
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
- Bank transfers
- Some e-wallets and prepaid cards
- Stake supports multiple payment options for Indian users:
- Step 4: Make your first deposit
- Navigate to the “Wallet” or “Cashier” section
- Select your preferred deposit method
- Follow the instructions to complete the transaction
- Wait for the funds to appear in your account
- Step 5: Start playing
- Explore the available casino games or sports betting options
- Set limits on your playing time and betting amounts
- Familiarize yourself with the platform’s features and responsible gambling tools
Important considerations for Indian users:
- If you encounter issues accessing stake.com, try the mirror site stake.bet
- Consider using cryptocurrencies for transactions to avoid potential banking restrictions
- Be aware that customer support may have limited hours in Indian time zones
- Keep records of your gambling activities for potential tax purposes, as winnings may be taxable in India
Remember that online gambling involves financial risk, and you should only play with money you can afford to lose.
Can You Use A VPN To Join Stake If It Is Not Available At Your Location?
Many people wonder if using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a good way to access Stake from restricted locations in India. The short answer is: technically possible, but not recommended.
Why using a VPN with Stake is risky:
Stake’s terms and conditions explicitly prohibit using VPNs or similar services to get around geographical restrictions. According to their policy, if they detect you’re using a VPN to hide your true location, they can:
- Permanently suspend or deactivate your account
- Forfeit any deposits you’ve made
- Void any winnings you’ve accumulated
Beyond the platform’s own penalties, there are additional risks to consider:
- Legal consequences: If online gambling is banned in your state (like Telangana or Andhra Pradesh), using a VPN to access gambling sites could potentially be seen as deliberately breaking the law.
- KYC verification issues: Even if you access the site via VPN, you’ll still need to complete KYC verification with legitimate documents that show your actual address.
- Payment problems: Indian payment methods might still be blocked regardless of your apparent VPN location.
Despite these clear warnings, social media is filled with comments from users claiming to successfully use VPNs to access Stake. What these posts often fail to mention are the many users who have lost their accounts and funds after being detected.
The bottom line: While it may seem like an easy solution, using a VPN to access Stake from restricted locations in India carries significant financial and potentially legal risks that make it inadvisable.
A Brief Overview Of The Indian Online Gambling Laws
Understanding India’s approach to online gambling requires looking at both historical context and the current legal framework.
Historical foundations:
India’s gambling regulations began with the Public Gambling Act of 1867, enacted during British colonial rule. This legislation focused on physical gambling houses and had no provisions for online activities.
After independence, gambling regulation became a state subject under the Indian Constitution. This allowed states to adopt the colonial law, modify it, or create entirely new legislation.
The most significant exception came with the recognition of horse racing as a game of skill by the Supreme Court in 1996, establishing the important legal distinction between games of skill and games of chance.
Modern legal framework:
The Information Technology Act of 2000 governs most online activities in India, but does not specifically address online gambling. This significant omission creates the legal gray area that many offshore gambling sites operate within.
States have taken different approaches to fill this gap:
- Sikkim and Nagaland have created licensing systems for online gambling operators
- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have explicitly banned online gambling
- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu attempted to ban online gambling, but their laws were struck down by courts
- Most other states maintain ambiguous positions, neither explicitly permitting nor prohibiting online gambling
Current legal challenges:
The distinction between “games of skill” and “games of chance” remains central to gambling laws in India. The Supreme Court has consistently held that games where skill predominates over chance are not “gambling” and thus enjoy constitutional protection.
This has led to ongoing legal battles over how to classify various games. While rummy and fantasy sports have been recognized as skill-based by some courts, most casino games available on platforms like Stake would likely be classified as chance-based.
Summarizing: Stake Is Not Banned Throughout India
After examining the complex legal landscape surrounding online gambling in India, we can conclude that Stake is not uniformly banned across the entire country. Instead, its legal status varies significantly depending on where you live.
The key points to remember are:
- Stake is illegal in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where state laws explicitly prohibit all forms of online gambling
- In most other states, Stake exists in a legal gray area – neither clearly permitted nor explicitly prohibited
- The platform’s accessibility is often determined by technical factors rather than legal ones, such as whether local ISPs block the site
- Cryptocurrency gambling adds another layer of legal ambiguity to an already complex situation
This state-by-state variation creates understandable confusion for potential users. With no central law governing online gambling at the national level, responsibility falls on individual players to stay informed about their local laws.
For now, if you’re considering using Stake from India, the most prudent approach is to:
- Verify your state’s specific gambling laws
- Be aware that the legal situation could change quickly
- Understand that operating in a gray area carries inherent risks
- Practice responsible gambling if you do choose to play
FAQs
- Is using Stake in India illegal?
The legality depends on your state of residence. It’s explicitly illegal in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In other states, it falls into a legal gray area, as there’s no specific national law prohibiting offshore online gambling sites.
- What are the penalties for using banned gambling sites in India?
Penalties vary by state. In Telangana, violations can result in fines of up to ₹10,000 and imprisonment up to one year for first-time offenders, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. However, enforcement typically targets operators rather than individual users.
- Are crypto gambling sites regulated differently from traditional gambling sites in India?
Currently, there’s no specific legislation that differentiates between cryptocurrency gambling and traditional gambling. The legal ambiguity surrounding both cryptocurrencies and online gambling creates a double layer of uncertainty for platforms like Stake.
- Can Indian banks process payments to Stake?
Indian banks and payment processors generally avoid facilitating transactions with known gambling websites, following RBI guidelines. This is why many Indian users turn to cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals on Stake.
- Which states in India have completely banned online gambling?
As of 2025, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have enacted comprehensive bans on all forms of online gambling. Other states have partial restrictions or unclear positions on the issue.
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Conclusion
The question “Is Stake banned in India?” reveals the complexity of India’s evolving approach to online gambling.
Rather than a simple yes or no answer, we’ve seen that Stake’s legal status depends on various factors, particularly which state you live in.
As India continues to navigate the challenges of regulating digital entertainment, the legal landscape surrounding platforms like Stake will likely continue to evolve.
What remains in a gray area today might become regulated, either permitted or prohibited, in the future.
For Indian users interested in Stake or similar platforms, staying informed about your local laws is essential.
The responsibility ultimately falls on individual users to understand the legal implications of their online activities.
Regardless of legal status, approaching gambling with caution and responsibility is crucial.
Set strict limits, never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose, and remember that gambling should be treated as entertainment rather than as a way to make money.
